When you work as a conservation officer, taking on the role of the grim reaper comes with the territory.
含羞草研究社淭he job is interesting and rewarding at times, but it含羞草研究社檚 definitely not for everyone,含羞草研究社� said Peter Pauwels, who retired at the end of June after 30 years with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service based out of Greater Victoria.
含羞草研究社淲e have to do many unpleasant things in this job. The amount of animals I含羞草研究社檝e had to kill is staggering. It含羞草研究社檚 never easy, and it takes a toll. For better or worse in some ways, we含羞草研究社檙e society含羞草研究社檚 killing tool.含羞草研究社�
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One of the challenges Pauwels had to deal with that含羞草研究社檚 increased dramatically in years is the number of people who take to social media to spread misinformation.
含羞草研究社淲hat含羞草研究社檚 particularly disturbing is the number of people who think conservation officers enjoy killing animals,含羞草研究社� he said.
Pauwels said people are entitled to their opinion, but it含羞草研究社檚 a 含羞草研究社渄espicable thing to say.含羞草研究社�
He added in his 30 years on the job. He含羞草研究社檚 never met a conservation officer who enjoyed that part of the job.
含羞草研究社淲hen we kill animals, there含羞草研究社檚 a valid reason for that. I used to do a lot of media, print, television and radio, but I stopped a couple of years ago because of all the negativity,含羞草研究社� he said
含羞草研究社淐onservation officers who remain on the job are hardworking, dedicated professionals who should be treated respectfully because they have a difficult job to do.含羞草研究社�
Pauwels said he would like to see more officers hired when asked what improvements he would recommend moving forward.
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含羞草研究社淭here are many places in the province that are short-handed, and officers are getting burnt out,含羞草研究社� he said.含羞草研究社漌e含羞草研究社檙e simply responsible for too many things. The mandate as COs has become so broad that it含羞草研究社檚 increasingly challenging to meet the public含羞草研究社檚 expectations without more officers.含羞草研究社�
Wild Wise Sooke community coordinator Sam Webb said Pauwels has been instrumental in assisting the organization with its work. Wild Wise is devoted to educating people about co-existing with wildlife and has expanded from East Sooke to include Metchosin, Shirley, and Otter Point.
含羞草研究社淚 love Peter and greatly respect his work,含羞草研究社� Webb said. 含羞草研究社淲ild Wise wouldn含羞草研究社檛 be anything without Peter, and we含羞草研究社檙e sad to see him go. Our foundation owes so much to him. His focus has always been on education; we含羞草研究社檙e grateful for his support. The work conservation officers do invaluable in protecting people and wildlife.含羞草研究社�
Dana Livingstone, the founder of the volunteer group Wildlife Advocates Collective in East Sooke, was effusive in her praise for Pauwels as well.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檝e always admired the passion, dedication and compassion he brings to his work,含羞草研究社� she said. 含羞草研究社淧eter cares about every call he含羞草研究社檚 taken and has saved so much wildlife, big and small. We need more COs like Peter in the field, and he will be missed.含羞草研究社�
Livingstone has witnessed many examples of how Pauwels was always willing to do whatever he could to help injured wildlife.
She recalled an incident in Victoria含羞草研究社檚 Rockland area where a large buck had a rat trap fastened to his tongue. Pauwels tracked down the deer, tranquillized it, removed the trap and released the animal. Livingstone was also moved by the amount of time Pauwels devoted on another occasion to try to find an injured doe.
含羞草研究社淚t shows Peter含羞草研究社檚 dedication and willingness to go the extra mile,含羞草研究社� she said.
Pauwels is currently a consultant in the field, monitoring wildlife safety in northern B.C.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 not ready for the golf course yet. I含羞草研究社檓 exploring many opportunities related to wildlife and enforcement.含羞草研究社�
含羞草研究社� For more on Wild Wise, go to www.wildwisesociety.org.
含羞草研究社� For more on Wildlife Advocates Collective, go to its Facebook page.
含羞草研究社�
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