Beer for Vancouver Island marmots
Drug deaths up this winter. Super-rare red bird. 23-storey Harris Green tower pitched.
Good morning !
In yesterday’s poll, almost all of the thousand-plus respondents had indeed seen a whale. We’ll have some of those stories later this week, but today we have stories on some other Island animal sightings: Rare birds and endangered marmots.
But first, grim news as winter worsens the drug crisis at the end of an already deadly year.
Have you ever seen a Vancouver Island marmot?
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Early estimates show drug deaths risingas winter sets in
The BC Coroners Service (BCCS) released a public warning this week of a recent rise in toxic drug deaths. November numbers are not out yet, but the service estimates more than 200 people in BC died.
That’s above what was expected, and pushes BC to the brink of setting a grim new annual record. It was already at 2,039 through October—including 130 Victorians—and the record set last year is 2,377.
The winter months typically bring a rise in drug deaths, as the cold spurs more people to use indoors and alone—leading to fewer poisonings being observed or interrupted.
But this winter’s rise appears to be larger and earlier than usual, capping off a year that outreach workers say has been as bad as the numbers suggest.
Read the full story for more on winter risks, the situation this year, and what could help according to people on the ground.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Flooding could hit Island along east coast and in peninsula / Greater Victoria during incoming rains. [Environment Canada]
Sunday’s 4.9 earthquake on mainland felt on upper half of Island. [Details]
This week’s weather: Mostly rainy and 3-10C.
NEWS
New local beer supports Vancouver Island marmot conservation
Vancouver Island Brewing’s Wild Marmot Dunkel mimics the namesake local mammal with its “dark chocolate brown colours and a fluffy white head.” The fundraiser is a collaboration between the brewery, Mt. Washington ski hill, and Victoria Royals, with the beer available from all three.
Proceeds go to the Marmot Recovery Foundation (MRF), which works to rebuild the Island population.
50+ new marmot pups born
The MRF says it has been a rebound year for the endangered species, with 50+ pups. The Calgary Zoo breeding program, which has been running for two decades now, produced 17 pups as of late summer.
It’s part of a broader resurgence for the at-risk marmots, which were down to just 25-30 known individuals in the wild at one point.
The MRF recently posted a video of two of this year’s pups wrestling at Mt. Arrowsmith (click below to watch it).
marmotrecovery
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⭐️ Capital Picks
📷 The “giant red sea slug”: A large nudibranch photographed near Ogden Point.
🍸 Local non-alcoholic drinks & recipes to try over the holidays. [Tasting Victoria]
😊 Now hiring: Executive Director at Capital Bike.
🗞️ In Other News
Council bumps 23-storey View Towers neighbour to new year
Victoria council will wait to review the 23-storey, 269-unit tower proposed for the Harris Green parking lot between Fort and View. The project requires a variance above the 15-storey downtown standard, would have very little parking, and would involve remediating contaminated soil at the site. [Citified]
Peninsula birders looking for rare bird spy even rarer bird
It was one thing that the pygmy nuthatch was in the region for the first time in 40 years, but people looking for it ended up seeing a summer tanager for the first time ever. Experts suspect the bright-red bird migrated in the wrong direction, ending up here rather than the Caribbean. [CBC]
Decorated local rower and sports exec dies at 65
Dean Crawford was a UVic rowing star who won gold for Canada at the 1984 Olympics and went on to be president of Swim BC and Swimming Canada. He was named to the halls of fame for UVic Sports, BC Sports, Canadian Olympics, and Canadian Rowing. [Vikes]
🗓️ Things to do
⚓ Watch the Royal Canadian Navy ships return from their Indo-Pacific deployment, starting around 9:30am today. Livestream here.
🎥 The Polar Express at Cinecenta: The classic Christmas movie will be shown at the UVic theatre. Today. 5pm.
🎺 GVCB performance at Parliament: The junior and intermediate bands will perform in the Upper Rotunda. Today. 4pm.
🏠 The Gingerbread Showcase continues at the Hotel Grand Pacific, benefitting Habitat for Humanity. Check them out in person (9am-9pm) or online and donate to vote for the best.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Transit strike now active in Comox Valley & Campbell River. [CHLY]
A mother wolf and child photographed amid Island greenery. [Facebook photo]
New neighbourhood pub at Esquimalt Town Square proposed for late spring 2024. [Victoria News]
Dec 17 - Island whales become TV stars
Fog today. UVic's plan to cut emissions in half. How local carollers are doing good. You're not an engineer, court tells local politician.
Dec 16 - An Island "water fight" in BC's Supreme Court
12 places to get local holiday treats. Avian flu on farms. Sea lion vs. octopus up close.
