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- Aug 18 - Grizzly bears gaining a pawhold on Island
Aug 18 - Grizzly bears gaining a pawhold on Island
Good morning !
Yesterday we brought you an update to our years of coverage of the Sooke Harbour House, the local hotel “stolen" through fraud by an American alleged Ponzi schemer. Today we similarly have an update to our coverage last year of alleged fraud by a local broker, who is now accused of a Ponzi scheme defrauding more than $300M.
But first, a look at new footage that may reshape what we know about bear populations on the Island.
— Cam
Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
New clip may be first-ever recording of grizzly bears born on the Island
Wildlife photographer Catherine Babault posted a video last weekend showing a grizzly bear and two small cubs being warded off by some Roosevelt elk. Though the exact location is undisclosed to protect the animals, it may be the first-ever recording of Island-born grizzlies.
While BC has about half of Canada’s grizzly population, the Island is one of the only BC regions in which these 100kg-400kg bears aren’t established. Grizzlies are sometimes seen on the Island, but that results from individuals swimming over rather than an ongoing local population.
Nicholas Scapillati of the Grizzly Bear Foundation told Global that the video’s cubs look too small to have made the trip. That suggests, he says, that the mother swam over and met an “island boy” male grizzly and gave birth here.
BC Environment Ministry biologist Garth Mowat feels similarly, though he told CHEK that it’s not impossible for the yearlings to have come over from the coast earlier this year.
Have you seen a grizzly bear in person? |
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Thunderstorm warning: Strong winds & heavy downpours continue this morning. [EnviroCan]
Air quality: Low risk today; little smoke expected overhead.
UV index: 4 (moderate).
Victoria Shamrocks win Game 1 of Western Lacrosse Association finals.
Rally expected downtown today, with Palestine protest at Legislature lawn. Traffic disruptions & CCTV deployment from 2 to 4pm.
Nellie McClung library closes for 3 days tomorrow. [GVPL]
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
The rise & fall of the Victoria broker accused of running BC's largest Ponzi scheme
Greg Martel (Facebook)
A CBC investigation released yesterday reveals new details about Greg Martel, the former Victoria mortgage broker accused of running BC’s largest-ever Ponzi scheme.
Martel is accused of defrauding some 930 investors and owing them $317M; he is now lying low abroad and believed to be in Dubai. Canadian and US warrants are out for his arrest; the court has imposed bankruptcy and found him in contempt, but has not yet filed criminal charges.
The new story is the result of a year of investigation by Zander Sherman, who has written multiple stories for Capital Daily on Martel and other subjects.
In the CBC piece, Sherman covers Martel’s rise and fall, detailing his time in the companies that he ran and the flags that were raised about some of them. That includes more detail on CarSHAiR, whose numerous workplace toxicity and nonpayment accusations Capital Daily has covered.
⭐️ Capital Picks
📸 Northern Resident Killer Whales sighted near Port McNeill. [Photos on Facebook]
🏸 Recreation registration begins tomorrow for Fall 2024 Victoria Rec programs.
🦉 Barred owls in a tree snag. [Video]
📈 Join over 2000 subscribers getting the latest insights on our region's pressing economic issues like housing, healthcare and more from South Island Prosperity Partnership’s weekly newsletter.*
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🗞️ In Other News
Quail poaching rampant around Royal Oak, neighbours allege
Several residents say they’ve seen the birds illegally trapped this summer, and that the population is declining as a result. Quail season is not until the fall, and hunting in a CRD park is banned regardless. [Saanich News]
Pacific FC slipping out of playoff position
Yesterday's 0-3 loss to Ottawa has PFC (5-5-8) languishing in a tie for 6th place; the last playoff spot is 5th. There are still two months left to play, though, and on Friday the team acquired forward Moses Dyer of New Zealand from sibling club Vancouver FC. He may boost a struggling offence that has scored a league-lowest 14 goals all season
A record 2,500 riders cycle in Tour de Victoria
Yesterday's record number of entrants competed in races ranging from 15km to 160km, with supporters joining them in a festival-style Inner Harbour gathering afterward. [CHEK]
Beckwith Park splash pad reopens for rest of season
Pads at Beckwith and Rutledge were closed a month ago over concerns about water runoff affecting aquatic life downstream. Saanich now says that testing shows no sign of that, and that the extra cold water may even help fight drought conditions.
🗓️ Things to do
🎨 East West Mural Fest: Check out community-based art in Esquimalt and Vic West with this festival featuring mural painting and hands-on workshops. Today until Sep. 2. [Info]
🪕Special Woodstock 2024: For the 25th year, this free show will feature the musical talents of people with disabilities performing with professional musicians at Providence Farm in Duncan. Today. 10am-6pm. [Info]
🍽️ North Saanich Flavour Trails: District of North Saanich and Destination Greater Victoria will celebrate local farmers, fishers, chefs, brewers, and more at McTavish Academy of Art. Today and Tomorrow. [Info]
🛩 BC Aviation Museum annual open house continues today (10am-4pm) on the peninsula. Entry by donation. [Info]
🍽 Food fundraiser for Gaza families: Broad View United hosts a dinner today (5pm) with Palestinian food from Amal Alhaddad, who is fundraising to help get her family members to safety.
🎷 Ardeshir Quartet: The saxophonist will be joined by pianist John Lee, bassist David Caballero, and drummer Graham Villette at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 5:30pm. Show 7pm. [Info]
💭 Re-imagining Your Museum: Special tours of current RBCM, & exploration of future museum options. Today (11-11:45am) and next weekend. [Info]
🎵 Music in the Park: Steluta will perform Balkan folk tunes at the Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park. Today. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]
🏡 Helmcken House open daily, noon-2pm, for two more weeks. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Firefigher's suspension was not mayor's doing, Alto says. [Sat. newsletter]
Hiker rescued from Juan de Fuca Trail by helicopter. [AVRS Facebook]
Slow climb: Banded snail inches up a plant stem. [Photo]
Mars bomber final flight last weekend. [Video]
That’s it!
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