We found that when black bears have access to four salmon species, they consume ~3x more salmon each year (Figure A)... than they do when there is one big run of equal biomass comprised of only one salmon species (Figure B).

Bear-salmon interactions: species diversity matters (infographic)

Raincoast research / By / 2019-03-18

Managing salmon for wildlife typically focuses on providing enough biomass, a measurement of the total kilograms of spawning salmon available. We asked whether biomass-and the number of salmon species-might affect salmon consumption by black bears in coastal BC, a measure that strongly relates to population productivity and health. Biomass actually did not matter to salmon …

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A person is holding up a clear container with "Raincoast Constervation on the label." The container has two very small silver fish inside it. In the background is a blue sky and a blue body of water.

Dozens of Chum

Fraser River, Raincoast research / By / 2019-03-11

Caught our first juvenile salmon of the season this weekend! We found dozens of these little chum salmon fry in the North Arm of the Lower Fraser River yesterday, the first juvenile salmon of the season to migrate downstream into the estuary where they likely spend a few days or weeks before moving on to …

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Looking up through green blades of grass, which are in the water, at a woman in an orange vest holding a line out into the water and looking at a device in her hand. The sky is blue and cloudy.

International Women’s Day

Raincoast research / By / 2019-03-11

From the original Raincoast scientist – Misty MacDuffy – to the majority of our lab team @universityofvictoria and board members – Maureen Gordon and JJ Woodland – women continue to play a leading role in every aspect of our work. Science and conservation certainly have room for more gender balance.

The blue ocean with an orca. The orca's dorsal fin and head are just visible above the water.

National Energy Board Approval of Trans Mountain Proposal

Conservation Foundation, Marine mammals, On the coast, Raincoast research / By / 2019-03-05

Today’s recommendation by the National Energy Board for approval of the Trans Mountain tanker and pipeline proposal was no surprise. Unfortunately no mitigation measures can protect the Southern Residents from the noise of the increased tanker traffic. The Canadian government have already bought the pipeline. If the cost also includes the extinction of the Southern …

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Pacific white-sided dolphins swim alongside a killer whale, as seen from the air.

Pacific white-sided dolphins hanging around with resident killer whales

Marine mammals / By / 2019-02-13

We all need friends.  If you’re a Pacific white-sided dolphin that might include your resident buddies. Scientists with Ocean Wise have documented the dolphins hanging around resident (and fish eating) killer whales. Expert Lance Barrett-Lennard suggests they might be enjoying the fact that residents don’t mix with (mammal eating) transients, so they may benefit from their protective …

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Achiever rests in a little bay, as seen from the air.

Ever wondered what it’s like in the Great Bear Rainforest?

Guide outfitter / By / 2019-02-13

Ever wondered what’s it’s like in the Great Bear Rainforest? Each spring and fall we visit commercial hunting tenures that we have now acquired with Coastal First Nations. The territories of our partners are also home to Spirit bears, black bears, grizzly bears and coastal wolves. These are the Coastal Carnivores we work to protect from commercial trophy …

Ever wondered what it’s like in the Great Bear Rainforest? Read more »

Southern Resident killer whales swim by in the Salish Sea.

Lucky is the new calf born to the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population

Marine mammals / By / 2019-01-14

This is not Lucky. Lucky is the new calf born to the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population! Confirmed today by the Center for Whale Research the calf – designated L124 and born to L77 – has been named Lucky. The recovery of this population is a major focus of our work @raincoastconservation. Through 2019 we will be …

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A black bear tears open a salmon in the stream.

Biodiversity matters: diversity of salmon species is more important to black bears than simply the total amount of salmon

Raincoast research / By / 2019-01-14

Biodiversity matters.  New research published today by Raincoast, Spirit Bear Research Foundation and The University of Victoria shows that the diversity of salmon species is more important to black bears than simply the total amount of salmon available.  This is further evidence that maintaining salmon species diversity is key to ensuring terrestrial wildlife – like black bears …

Biodiversity matters: diversity of salmon species is more important to black bears than simply the total amount of salmon Read more »

A collage of nine favourite and most popular wildlife conservation photos of 2018.

From Spirit bears and grizzlies to cougars and killer whales 2018 has been a year…

Conservation Foundation / By / 2018-12-31

Which is your favourite?  From Spirit bears and grizzlies to cougars and killer whales 2018 has been a year of many conservation wins for Raincoast and our partners up and down the British Columbian coast.  You can learn more about what we have achieved and what we plan for 2019 in Tracking Raincoast, our annual …

From Spirit bears and grizzlies to cougars and killer whales 2018 has been a year… Read more »

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