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Press Release: Wildlife Safety Response Officer Begins Service in Ucluelet

Ucluelet, B.C. — The District of Ucluelet and the BC Conservation Officer Service have entered a partnership to provide an enhanced level of service to the community through the implementation of a Wildlife Safety Response Officer (WSRO). The initiative was borne out of Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 1390, 2026 which Mayor and Council adopted on March 17, 2026.

In addition to appointing a new WSRO the Bylaw provides a comprehensive regulatory framework to manage human-wildlife interactions by controlling access to non-natural food sources.

Cameron McKieve is Ucluelet’s new Wildlife Safety Response Officer. He will help support the work of conservation officers to enhance public safety and reduce human-wildlife conflicts. This is a joint initiative whereby the WSRO is employed by the BC Conservation Officer Service and funded by the District of Ucluelet for a four-month period.

“The District is pleased to see this new role taking shape in our community. Ucluelet is a wild place, and it is important we invest in resources that protect humans and wildlife. The new Wildlife Safety Response Officer will provide much needed education, enforcement and support the great work already undertaken by the conservation officers”- Ucluelet Mayor Marilyn McEwan.

The WSRO acts as a community liaison, providing outreach and preventative attractant management education, as well as enhancing community engagement, to help reduce human -wildlife conflict. Conservation officers will also continue to respond as necessary to ensure public safety. Wildlife conflicts can be reported to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277.

The primary function of this Wildlife Safety Response Officer will include:

  • Public education and outreach;
  • Law enforcement under the Wildlife Act;
  • Response to wildlife and environmental emergencies;
  • Supporting working relationships with local Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and partner agencies, and
  • Providing education to industry, government, and the public on legislation, policy, wildlife response procedures, and BC Conservation Officer Service programs.
Officer McKieve was at the Tuesday, March 19, 2026 Special Committee of the Whole meeting as part of the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service and WildSafe BC Pacific Rim delegation regarding 2026 Ucluelet WildSafe Program. The District of Ucluelet looks forward to welcoming him to the community and keeping wildlife wild and wary.
For Media Inquiries contact:
Brendan Petrasek – District of Ucluelet
The District of Ucluelet's new Wildlife Safety Response Officer: Cameron McKieve.