When you work as a conservation officer, taking on the role of the grim reaper comes with the territory.
害羞草研究所淭he job is interesting and rewarding at times, but it害羞草研究所檚 definitely not for everyone,害羞草研究所� 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.
害羞草研究所淲e have to do many unpleasant things in this job. The amount of animals I害羞草研究所檝e had to kill is staggering. It害羞草研究所檚 never easy, and it takes a toll. For better or worse in some ways, we害羞草研究所檙e society害羞草研究所檚 killing tool.害羞草研究所�
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One of the challenges Pauwels had to deal with that害羞草研究所檚 increased dramatically in years is the number of people who take to social media to spread misinformation.
害羞草研究所淲hat害羞草研究所檚 particularly disturbing is the number of people who think conservation officers enjoy killing animals,害羞草研究所� he said.
Pauwels said people are entitled to their opinion, but it害羞草研究所檚 a 害羞草研究所渄espicable thing to say.害羞草研究所�
He added in his 30 years on the job. He害羞草研究所檚 never met a conservation officer who enjoyed that part of the job.
害羞草研究所淲hen we kill animals, there害羞草研究所檚 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,害羞草研究所� he said
害羞草研究所淐onservation officers who remain on the job are hardworking, dedicated professionals who should be treated respectfully because they have a difficult job to do.害羞草研究所�
Pauwels said he would like to see more officers hired when asked what improvements he would recommend moving forward.
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害羞草研究所淭here are many places in the province that are short-handed, and officers are getting burnt out,害羞草研究所� he said.害羞草研究所漌e害羞草研究所檙e simply responsible for too many things. The mandate as COs has become so broad that it害羞草研究所檚 increasingly challenging to meet the public害羞草研究所檚 expectations without more officers.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淚 love Peter and greatly respect his work,害羞草研究所� Webb said. 害羞草研究所淲ild Wise wouldn害羞草研究所檛 be anything without Peter, and we害羞草研究所檙e sad to see him go. Our foundation owes so much to him. His focus has always been on education; we害羞草研究所檙e grateful for his support. The work conservation officers do invaluable in protecting people and wildlife.害羞草研究所�
Dana Livingstone, the founder of the volunteer group Wildlife Advocates Collective in East Sooke, was effusive in her praise for Pauwels as well.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e always admired the passion, dedication and compassion he brings to his work,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淧eter cares about every call he害羞草研究所檚 taken and has saved so much wildlife, big and small. We need more COs like Peter in the field, and he will be missed.害羞草研究所�
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害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淚t shows Peter害羞草研究所檚 dedication and willingness to go the extra mile,害羞草研究所� she said.
Pauwels is currently a consultant in the field, monitoring wildlife safety in northern B.C.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 not ready for the golf course yet. I害羞草研究所檓 exploring many opportunities related to wildlife and enforcement.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所� For more on Wild Wise, go to www.wildwisesociety.org.
害羞草研究所� For more on Wildlife Advocates Collective, go to its Facebook page.
害羞草研究所�
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