In a series of unusual incidents across British Columbia in 2024, locals found themselves dealing with some strange occurrences. On Vancouver Island, a couple renovating their home discovered 115 stuffed animals hidden in the walls, left by previous owners as insulation. Meanwhile, the Okanagan Forest Task Force faced a challenging cleanup when they found hundreds of pounds of dirty diapers left by a family living in the woods. In Richmond, a man was caught on camera scooping gelato with his bare hands in a bizarre theft.
Elsewhere, a family in North Vancouver created a special “bear door” in their fence to coexist with a local bear known for breaking through. A dramatic story unfolded in Maple Ridge when a local vet used Narcan to revive a raccoon suspected of fentanyl exposure. In another peculiar sight, Vancouver International Airport staff were faced with an unexpected mess when a shipment of eels escaped onto the tarmac.
Additionally, Vision Zero Vancouver launched a quirky campaign using foam bricks to raise awareness about pedestrian safety, and a world record was set by a chicken on Gabriola Island for the most identifications pecked in a minute. In Campbell River, an ecological crisis led to drastic measures after invasive goldfish overran a local pond, and in North Cowichan, residents struggled with a flock of noisy and messy peacocks roaming the neighborhood.
Meanwhile, in a whimsical event, a woman in Nanaimo orchestrated a surprise Costco-themed birthday party for her unsuspecting husband. And on the political scene, British Columbia’s NDP leader David Eby had an unusual encounter on the campaign trail when he was stung by a wasp during a live event. In an effort to resolve a wildlife issue, the city of Campbell River drained a pond to tackle a goldfish infestation, removing over 1,700 of the invasive fish. These stories highlight the unique blend of unexpected and curious events that unfolded throughout the province.
