84 deer culled on Sidney Island as part of Parks Canada eradication plan

Dozens of deer have been culled in B.C.’s southern Gulf Islands, as part of an eradication plan by Parks Canada.

According to the agency, 84 invasive fallow deer were “removed” on Sidney Island, near North Saanich, in Phase 1 between Dec. 1 and 11.

Parks Canada says the animals were humanely put down by “three highly trained, certified marksmen” who “used globally supported methods,” both on the ground and from the air.

“The aerial work involved one marksman operating out of a single helicopter deployed for a total of 15 hours over five days. The helicopter was used to survey terrain and locate and efficiently dispatch deer,” Parks Canada explained.

“The humane treatment of animals is a priority for all project partners. Recovery teams reported that the majority of animals were dispatched with a single shot; in the remaining cases, a second shot was taken to be certain of immediate and humane death.”

Deer meat distributed to community members: Parks Canada

The agency says those tasked with killing the deer worked with park staff and local First Nations harvesters “to maximize amount of meat and materials recovered.”

The meat, hides, and other materials were then distributed to W̱SÁNEĆ community members, Parks Canada says, adding more than 800 kilograms of meat were recovered from the first phase of the cull.

Phase 2 of the plan is set to begin next fall. This work will include installing new temporary fencing on Sidney Island, to create zones that marksmen will work through to clear.

Parks Canada says fallow deer have “severely impacted” the local ecosystem on the Gulf Island. The agency has pointed to the difference in vegetation on Sidney Island between fenced areas and those accessible to the invasive animals.

Parks Canada and the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council have long planned to eradicate the deer and restore the island’s native vegetation.

The province says fallow deer were originally found in parts of the Mediterranean region of Europe, as well as southwest Asia.

They vary in colour and typically have a “long tail, white spots, and a prominent Adam’s apple.”