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