The B.C. Conservation Officer Service is asking for tips from the public after finding evidence of illegal trapping going on in the District of North Vancouver’s Murdo Frazer Park.
The COS, which investigates poaching and environmental pollution in the province, posted to social media on Tuesday about the case, which was discovered late last week.
Conservation officer Sgt. Simon Gravel said he could not release any details about what kind of trap or traps had been found in the park and he said they do not know if any animals, either wild or domestic, were harmed.
“That’s what we’re looking into,” he said. “At this point, we’re seeking information from the public. If anybody saw someone doing anything suspicious in the area, then they can report it… and we’ll be happy to receive that information.”
Since the trapping attempts were discovered, COs have done a sweep of the park and not found any further threats to animal safety, Gravel said, but he emphasized that Murdo Frazer doesn’t have any off-leash areas, so dogs should be kept leashed anytime they’re in the park.
“Obviously if we had any safety concerns, we would close the area,” he said.
Trapping is legal in B.C. but only with a permit or by a licensed pest control company.
The District of North Vancouver currently has a live trap set in Murdo Frazer to capture and relocate a beaver that’s been gnawing on local trees, but Gravel said that is unrelated to their investigation.
Anyone with information about the illegal trapping is asked to call the Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP).
