When you work as a conservation officer, taking on the role of the grim reaper comes with the territory.

91裸聊视频淭he job is interesting and rewarding at times, but it91裸聊视频檚 definitely not for everyone,91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淲e have to do many unpleasant things in this job. The amount of animals I91裸聊视频檝e had to kill is staggering. It91裸聊视频檚 never easy, and it takes a toll. For better or worse in some ways, we91裸聊视频檙e society91裸聊视频檚 killing tool.91裸聊视频�

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One of the challenges Pauwels had to deal with that91裸聊视频檚 increased dramatically in years is the number of people who take to social media to spread misinformation.

91裸聊视频淲hat91裸聊视频檚 particularly disturbing is the number of people who think conservation officers enjoy killing animals,91裸聊视频� he said.

Pauwels said people are entitled to their opinion, but it91裸聊视频檚 a 91裸聊视频渄espicable thing to say.91裸聊视频�

He added in his 30 years on the job. He91裸聊视频檚 never met a conservation officer who enjoyed that part of the job.

91裸聊视频淲hen we kill animals, there91裸聊视频檚 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,91裸聊视频� he said

91裸聊视频淐onservation officers who remain on the job are hardworking, dedicated professionals who should be treated respectfully because they have a difficult job to do.91裸聊视频�

Pauwels said he would like to see more officers hired when asked what improvements he would recommend moving forward.

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91裸聊视频淭here are many places in the province that are short-handed, and officers are getting burnt out,91裸聊视频� he said.91裸聊视频漌e91裸聊视频檙e simply responsible for too many things. The mandate as COs has become so broad that it91裸聊视频檚 increasingly challenging to meet the public91裸聊视频檚 expectations without more officers.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淚 love Peter and greatly respect his work,91裸聊视频� Webb said. 91裸聊视频淲ild Wise wouldn91裸聊视频檛 be anything without Peter, and we91裸聊视频檙e sad to see him go. Our foundation owes so much to him. His focus has always been on education; we91裸聊视频檙e grateful for his support. The work conservation officers do invaluable in protecting people and wildlife.91裸聊视频�

Dana Livingstone, the founder of the volunteer group Wildlife Advocates Collective in East Sooke, was effusive in her praise for Pauwels as well.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e always admired the passion, dedication and compassion he brings to his work,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淧eter cares about every call he91裸聊视频檚 taken and has saved so much wildlife, big and small. We need more COs like Peter in the field, and he will be missed.91裸聊视频�

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 Victoria91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淚t shows Peter91裸聊视频檚 dedication and willingness to go the extra mile,91裸聊视频� she said.

Pauwels is currently a consultant in the field, monitoring wildlife safety in northern B.C.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 not ready for the golf course yet. I91裸聊视频檓 exploring many opportunities related to wildlife and enforcement.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频� For more on Wild Wise, go to www.wildwisesociety.org.

91裸聊视频� For more on Wildlife Advocates Collective, go to its Facebook page.

editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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