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Trial deer translocation program being developed
With the City of Cranbrook poised to conduct an urban deer population reduction program, city council and staff continue to field questions about relocating the deer instead of euthanizing.
At this point, translocation is not an option that the province will even consider. A cull is the only management tool the province makes available to municipalities to try to alleviate some concerns of local residents, specifically around aggressive animals. The province does not have the scientific evidence saying that translocation of deer works and that urbanized deer relocated out of town would survive the transportation or survive in the location their moved to. But that could change over the next number of months, outlined a City of Cranbrook press release.
“This is not an option to the cull. It’s just a pilot project being considered,” said Mayor Lee Pratt Feb. 23.
The City of Cranbrook has been involved along with the District of Elkford, the City of Kimberley, the District of Invermere and the Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO) in providing seed funding ($1,000 contribution by the City of Cranbrook in 2014) and some staff support toward the development of a proposed East Kootenay Urban Mule Deer Translocation Trial.
The District of Elkford is the overall project lead. Vast Resource Solutions has been contracted to research and develop the proposed trial program and seek external funding resources.
What is most important for people to understand that this trial, if approved by the province, would be a scientific study and not meant to remove large numbers of deer from the community. The proposed program would capture, relocate and radio-collar a handful of deer and release them, monitor their movements and see if the deer survive and where they go.
A tentative work plan is expected sometime later in 2015, at which time council and staff from each participating municipality and the MFLNRO will have an opportunity to review and provide feedback on the work plan.
There is potential that the translocation trial could begin early in 2016; however, this is dependent on adequate funding and the approval of the work plan, the city release stated.
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