Parks Canada has hit pause on the second phase of a controversial program to eradicate invasive deer from a small Gulf Island near Victoria.
Residents on B.C.'s Sidney Island are asking Parks Canada to suspend the use of nets to corral deer until after the rutting season. They say at least a half-dozen deer have been caught in the nets in recent weeks, fighting to exhaustion to break free. Paul Johnson reports.Story continues below advertisement
“The decision to postpone the actions for 2024 was made as a result of several factors, most importantly the welfare of the animals of the island and the lack of effectiveness of the netting installed to herd deer, causing a lower probability of a successful outcome,” Parks Canada said in a statement.For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
“This pause will allow for additional consultations with First Nations and project partners on a reimagined solution to achieve eco-system restoration.”Parks Canada says the program is necessary to eliminate hundreds of European fallow deer, which were introduced in the mid-1900s and have devastated the native ecosystem.Read the transcript of Donald Trump’s remarks as he claimed election win
In early 2023, island residents narrowly voted to approve Parks Canada’s plan to destroy the animals, but there has also been strong local opposition.Some island residents say they have successfully managed deer numbers on their own through private hunting, while others have expressed human safety and animal welfare concerns.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has also criticized the multi-million-dollar program, which it says has so far spent about $10,000 for every deer killed.The hunters, Parks Canada and First Nations recovered about 800 kilograms of meat along with hides and other usable materials that were distributed among
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