Letter to the CRD from PETA

  December 4, 2013

To: Alistair Bryson, Chair, Capital Regional District Board of Directors
Capital Regional District Board of Directors
From: Jodi Minion, Wildlife Biologist/Issues Manager, PETA

Re: Deer management program

Your urgent attention is requested.
PETA is an international animal protection organization with more than 3 million members and supporters globally, thousands residing in British Columbia. We understand that the Capital Regional District is sanctioning the clover trapping and killing of deer in local municipalities in the apparent hopes of controlling the deer population. With utmost respect we must advise that this is a cruel and ineffective form of wildlife control. Every minute spent trapped is a terrifying eternity for these easily frightened prey animals, who can badly injure themselves in frantic attempts to get free. Video of a panicked deer caught in a clover trap can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XezJJNzg3nY. Lethal initiatives also tear families apart, leaving young/weak animals vulnerable to starvation and dehydration.
Please know that lethal methods fail to control unwanted animal populations, and actually backfire. This is because a spike in the food supply results, prompting accelerated breeding among survivors and newcomers. Populations actually increase. Effective deer management plans are adaptive and integrated, the keys being strictly-enforced wildlife feeding prohibitions and habitat modification (e.g., exclusion and deterrents) in residential/landscaped areas, along forest edges, and in restoration and riparian corridors (see attached document). We are happy to advise in greater detail.
May we hear back from you soon that the cruel trapping initiative will be cancelled? Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jodi Minion
Wildlife Biologist/Issues Manager