A peak into the wild: What Metro Vancouver’s wildlife cameras reveal

Cameras in Metro Vancouver's watersheds are capturing amazing images of wildlife, including species you might not even know exist here.

Cougars and bears and… wolves?

Oh yes!

Metro Vancouver’s cameras in our watersheds are giving us a peak into the wild with amazing images of creatures we might expect, along with ones that had previously vanished from our region.

“We’ve had some species return that haven’t existed on the landscape for some many decades,” said Jesse Montgomery, division manager for environmental management with water services for Metro Vancouver.

This includes Rosevelt Elk, which were reintroduced by the province into adjoining areas and have since made their way back to Metro Vancouver’s Watersheds.

“With those elk populations, there’s often predators that come with that. So, we’ve actually seen a return of grey wolves,” said Montgomery.

“There are some color variations within that population. Some are very starkly black colored and others tan colored.”

Wolves are in abundance in other parts of the province. But much to the surprise of many, wolves were spotted on Metro Vancouver’s wildlife cameras beginning back in 2019.

“I don’t think I ever really anticipated seeing wolves in our areas. They certainly weren’t around even 10 years ago, so it’s a pretty remarkable and speedy recovery of these populations,” said Montgomery.

“I think it shows that our ecosystems and our biodiversity is increasing because it’s attracting these keystone species into areas that we haven’t seen,” said Randene Neill, B.C.’s minister of water, land and resource stewardship.

“I think it shows our watersheds are incredibly healthy.”

“A healthy ecosystem for fish and wildlife is also critical to the clean water supply that goes to the three million residents in Metro Vancouver and a high-functioning ecosystem is really critical for that clean water supply,” explained Montgomery.

The Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam watersheds make-up about 600 square kilometres of intact habitat and wildlife landscapes.

Images from the wildlife cameras are shared with provincial biologists and support research.

“Cameras in the upper Coquitlam River watershed are used in partnership with the Kwikwetlem First Nation to inventory wildlife including the recovering elk population in the area. This supports provincial research and aids the Kwikwetlem First Nation in expanding its stewardship efforts,” said a statement from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

“The population of elk is recovering and growing in the Lower Mainland, according to provincial observations. Growing habitat on the provincial land base has benefited elk and other species,” the ministry said. “As elk herds expand, populations of wolves have followed. Wolves have been sighted in the upper Pitt River and Squamish areas.”

The four wildlife cameras were purchased by Metro Vancouver over the last few years for approximately $1,000 each. There is no ongoing cost other than staff time to check on them.