I am responding on behalf of a number of residents in Coldstream who are upset with the management of wildlife in this area.
They being the residents who chose to live here, neighbouring a beautiful park with its wildlife and natural habitat.
They are upset by the response of conservation officers who chose to remove an animal that wandered beyond its natural boundary, by shooting and killing it. I would assume that in the interests of conservation, such a response would be the last preferred course of action.
However, past cases recently in our area have included a shot bear, cougar and even a deer because of its antlers. This is an upsetting trend that only contributes towards instilling fear based on the possibility of human victims. These animals have been killed without being given any benefit of the doubt, and reported as justifiably shot.
Also upsetting is that the alternative solution of rescuing the animal by tranquilizing and moving it back into a familiar environment was not considered. This would allow nature to take its course through the process of natural selection (survival of the fittest). After all, the animal was only following its instinct.
I even know of a dozen or so people right now who would have chipped in for the gas to get any three of those animals safely out of our and their own harm’s way.
Let’s hope the next time, we can rely on like-minded conservationists for support in preserving the natural environment that we live in by rescuing the wildlife that has wandered into out of bounds territory.
There should be no doubt what actions are required in an event for safety reasons. However, not exact is the science in the matter of doing a duty just to rid the public of a nuisance by death. While some officers can be admired for their sagacity in conservation, others should never have been appointed to the position in the first place.
Inevitably, in an area like Coldstream, shared by people and wildlife, there will be another rock and a hard place scenario in the future.
Hopefully this trend towards a fatal outcome for deer, bear or cougar is avoided, thus giving both sides of the issue something to cheer about.
A. Black
Coldstream
