In past years, bears were attracted to our garbage dumps but all our regional dumps are now surrounded by electric fence. That keeps the bears out of trouble and the COs have time for other things, such as pollution.

If you have a permit to burn a woodpile, you need to find out about the weather and what is called the "venting index" to know when to burn. If a temperature inversion forms and wind pushes heavy smoke from your burn into town, expect a visit from a CO. They are in charge of enforcing air and water pollution standards.

COs help other government agencies with wildlife. The Ministry of Environment wanted to know about wolves in the Telkwa Caribou Recovery Area west of Telkwa and whether the wolves were killing caribou. COs trapped a female wolf in the area. They used a padded leghold trap so that the wolf would not be injured.

They anaesthesized the wolf, removed the trap and installed a radio collar. Next the COs massaged the foot that had been in the trap to warm it and get the blood moving. Soon the wolf woke and scampered off without a limp. Mission accomplished.

The blood in the photo was from the wolf's mouth as a result of chewing on the metal trap. Now the Ministry of Environment can monitor the movements of the wolves to tell when and where they may be hunting and killing caribou.