(Montreal) The Society of Outdoor Establishments of Quebec (SEPAQ) has announced that it will develop in the coming months an intervention plan to control the population of white-tailed deer in the national parks of Mont-Saint-Bruno and Boucherville Islands.
Posted at 2:21 p.m.
Updated at 6:11 p.m.
SEPAQ, which takes part in the work of the deer management committee in urban and peri-urban areas, which also includes experts from the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks (MFFP), indicates that the recommendations of the experts and scientists appointed lean “in favor of the use of a method of lethal reduction” of deer. The lethal method does not necessarily mean euthanasia, the authorities could resort to slaughter, but that remains to be determined, said SEPAQ spokesperson Simon Boivin.
“In a different distribution, because Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville has a more glaring problem than that of Parc national du Mont-Saint-Bruno, we are talking about at least 200 deer who will be part of this operation- there,” said Mr. Boivin.
The Company specifies that this is a method that is done elsewhere in Quebec, Canada and the United States.
However, the response plan will be developed more precisely over the coming months. In addition, Mr. Boivin specified that, according to MFFP experts, SEPAQ will assess whether the number of deer to be euthanized should be adjusted.
“We expect there to be some discontent, but we will not do this kind of operation for fun, but because it is our duty,” he said.
Mr. Boivin added that SEPAQ is aware that this is “a file that is quite emotional”.
“It remains our responsibility to act because Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville and Parc national du Mont-Saint-Bruno are islands of biodiversity that must be protected,” said the spokesperson.
The meat collected will be offered to organizations that work with food banks to ensure distribution to families in need and to prevent it from being wasted.
Mr. Boivin says that SEPAQ will implement actions to promote education and explain to the population how the operation will unfold.
“Even if we feel that the debate has evolved towards an understanding of the fact that the option chosen is based entirely on the recommendations of scientists, it will be necessary to carry out a certain number of communication actions to continue to explain the situation,” said Mr. Boivin.
According to information collected in a SEPAQ press release, this decision aims to promote the protection of natural environments and ecosystems in these national parks affected by the overabundance of white-tailed deer.
The Company specifies that excessive browsing, the scarcity of food for all species, the increased risk of spreading Lyme disease and road collisions are the main documented issues motivating the preparation of this response plan.
The plan, which is in preparation, will “define the type of intervention, the locations, the target density thresholds and the most appropriate period for an operation that meets expectations. However, the deer are “growing at a high rate that requires rapid intervention, possibly next fall or winter,” the statement said.
According to SEPAQ, “The national parks of Mont-Saint-Bruno and Îles-de-Boucherville have respective densities of 15.2 deer/km and 30.5 deer/km. The ideal density for the natural environment would be 5 deer/km. »
The Society says the intervention is necessary and that “it will be based on the well-documented opinions of experts and scientists with a view to protecting and conserving the national parks so that future generations can also benefit from them. . »
A controversial issue in Longueuil
The City of Longueuil had planned to slaughter half of the population of white-tailed deer present in Michel-Chartrand Park, that is to say about fifteen animals. But the city backtracked after the idea sparked outrage and even led to threats against the mayor.
An animal rescue organization tried to protect the white-tailed deer population in Michel-Chartrand Park, but failed. The City of Longueuil finally went ahead despite the controversy and followed the recommendations of the report of the consultation table set up by the City which concluded that euthanasia remains the best option to control the deer population in the park.