Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 immunocontraception program has cut deer numbers in and around the municipality by 40 per cent since it began in 2019.

The Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society (UWSS) continues to analyze data from the programB次元官网网址檚 third year and aims to pursue a sustainable future for deer and residents alike. This yearB次元官网网址檚 focus will include deer habitat use before and after contraception, fawn and adult deer abundance after three years of sterilization, and plans for science-based, long-term and non-lethal urban deer management.

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UWSS research team helper Alina Fisher said contraception, GPS collars and camera traps were used to reduce the approximately 100-adult-deer population to about 60 between 2019 and 2021.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 hoping to see a sustained reduction in fawns every year,B次元官网网址� she said, adding population numbers for 2021-22 are still being finalized. After the first year, the numbers dropped to 58 per cent of the original population.

B次元官网网址淚n that time, we saw a huge change in the number of fawns being born.B次元官网网址� Given their low survival rate, she said, B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 not like you see a fawn and that equals one deer the next year.B次元官网网址�

Today Fisher sees the program receiving a more positive reception and insightful questions from the community than when it began. A temporary pause on the program was initially planned so researchers could rule out environmental factors that may contribute to deer population growth, but Fisher said Oak Bay council chose to keep it running to maintain lower numbers and will help decide what happens next.

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In Oak Bay, does no longer carry the bulkier GPS collars. B次元官网网址淭hey were big and they had battery packs in them and they fell off after three yearsB次元官网网址� use.B次元官网网址� Deer collars and tags now come in B次元官网网址渆very colour on the rainbow,B次元官网网址� she said, so they stay uniquely identifiable.

Does sporting pink tags are mostly unsterile B次元官网网址渃ontrol deer,B次元官网网址� which purposely havenB次元官网网址檛 received contraception to help UWSS track their movement in comparison to sterilized does.

In terms of other options, culls prove largely ineffective and translocation merely moves the problem from one community to another, Fisher said. A sudden absence of deer somewhere may prompt does in other areas to fill that space, capitalize on reduced food competition and even team up.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no silver bullet in this, or else we wouldB次元官网网址檝e found it.B次元官网网址�

The BCSPCA supports such non-lethal measures as landscape changes, fencing that deer canB次元官网网址檛 see past, motion-activated lights and sprinklers, and the planting of fragrant, prickly and poisonous plants such as daffodils, lavender and rhododendrons. It also supports the UWSS program, a spokesperson confirmed.

The Ministry of Forests stated in 2016 that alternatives to fertility control, such as culling, must be used to achieve quicker results and that sterilization requires capturing, treating and surveilling 70 to 90 per cent of does for long-term population change. Its Provincial Urban Deer Operational Cost-Share program matches up to $100,000 annually for communities developing socially acceptable deer management solutions and will soon let municipalities apply for the 2022-23 year.

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In a recent statement to Black Press Media, the ministry said it continues to partner with Oak Bay on the contraception program B次元官网网址渙n a trial basis before determining next steps.B次元官网网址�

While a long-term deer management plan for Oak Bay remains in the works, Fisher cautioned the community about resident fawns growing older and, as a result, more mobile.

B次元官网网址淟ike most middle schoolers, theyB次元官网网址檙e not going to make good choices,B次元官网网址� she joked, speaking from experience as a mother. B次元官网网址淜eep your eyes peeled for those goofy fawns.B次元官网网址�

Do you have a story tip? Email: evert.lindquist@blackpress.ca.

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