The Regional District of East Kootenay is urging residents to keep dogs on leash while at Waldo Cove Park.
This time of year is the nesting season for the Long-billed Curlew, one of the area’s most sensitive wildlife nesting events.
RDEK officials said they’ve seen an increase in dogs off leash in the Waldo Cove Park area.
“Waldo Cove Park provides an important habitat for wildlife, and the nesting curlews we are seeing there are especially significant,” said RDEK Environmental Services Foreman Brian De Paoli.
“We are asking all park users to do their part by keeping dogs on leash during nesting season, which typically wraps up in mid-July. This small action can make a big difference in protecting these birds and giving them the best chance to successfully nest.”
They said even well-behaved dogs can unintentionally disturb nesting birds.
Repeated disruptions can cause stress, nest abandonment, or harm to eggs and chicks.
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