Parks Canada says 84 deer have been “removed” during the first phase of the fallow deer eradication project on Sidney Island.
Between Dec. 1 and 11, three certified marksmen conducted a mix of nighttime ground-based hunting and daytime aerial work to shoot and kill the 84 deer.
The aerial work involved one of the marksmen in a helicopter for a total of 15 hours over five days.
Parks Canada says most of the deer were killed with one shot, but some needed a second shot “to be certain of immediate and humane death.”
Parks Canada and First Nations harvesters gathered approximately 800 kilograms (1,800 pounds) of meat which was distributed in local W̱SÁNEĆ communities.
The second phase of the fallow deer is set to take place between fall 2024 and spring 2025. This will involve setting up fencing across Sidney Island to create large, enclosed zones which will be cleared with ground-based marksmen and scent-tracking dogs.
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- AUG. 2: Mass killing of fallow deer on Sidney Island will go ahead
- AUG. 28: Fawn vs. foliage: Deer eradication on Sidney Island will restore native plants, says Parks Canada
- NOV. 4: Sidney Island deer cull called inhumane by protesters
- NOV. 30: Sidney Island deer cull to begin Friday despite pushback from animal advocates
- DEC. 5: Sidney Island invasive deer eradication now underway: Parks Canada
Laura Brougham
