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VICTORIA Introduced to the Southern Gulf Islands near Victoria in the early 1900s, invasive fallow deer from Europe have been slowly eating away at Sidney Island’s ecosystem, and now a cull is being considered to stop the destruction. The invasive deer have significantly degraded the health of Sidney Island’s at-risk coastal Douglas fir forests – including Garry Oak forests and meadows – making it one of the least ecologically diverse islands in the region. Now, Parks Canada, Sidney Island community members, local First Nations, the B.C. government and Islands Trust Conservancy are working together on a proposal to actively restore the natural ecology of Sidney Island by removing the invasive fallow deer, managing invasive plants, and supporting native plant recovery. ....
The fallow deer were introduced on neighbouring James Island in 1902 by the owner at the time as prey for hunting parties. The spotted deer with impressive antlers invaded Sidney Island in the early 1960s, when ponds were dug and the first standing fresh water became available to sustain them. Their numbers grew to the thousands in the 1980s, causing Sidney Island’s Garry oak meadows, Douglas firs and dozens of native plant species to suffer or disappear. Although controlled hunting and periodic culls over the years have reduced their numbers to an estimated 400 to 500, serious steps are now in the works for a final roundup to destroy all remaining stock. It would likely happen in the fall of 2022, after details of the method of killing have been determined and a consensus with stakeholders reached. ....
To restore Sidney Islandâs ecology, a push to kill hundreds of fallow deer A coalition of First Nations, property owners and Parks Canada is planning a âfinal eradicationâ of the invasive species that will see up to 500 of the animals rounded up and killed. Author of the article: Darron Kloster  â¢Â Victoria Times Colonist Publishing date: May 17, 2021  â¢Â 3 hours ago  â¢Â 4 minute read  â¢Â Fallow deer were introduced on neighbouring James Island in 1902 by the owner at the time as prey for hunting parties, and moved to Sidney Island in the early 1960s, when ponds were dug and the first standing fresh water became available to sustain them. Photo by PARKS CANADA /Times Colonist ....