In a short statement released on the City of Vancouver website this week, the city noted that the deer was hit and killed by a vehicle around 7:30 pm on Sunday, September 13, just outside the park at the south end of the Lions Gate Bridge.
“The deer had become habituated to people feeding and petting it,” said Nick Page, a biologist with the Vancouver Park Board. “I want to emphasize how important it is for people to maintain an appropriate distance from wildlife such as deer, raccoons and coyotes. Contact with people can cause animals to become dependent.”
The Fur-Bearers have reached out to the Vancouver Park Board to offer assistance in further education and advocacy on this critical issue.
Too many animals die every year in Stanley Park – and right across Canada – because they are fed. While it is often done with the best intentions, feeding wildlife, particularly in urbanized areas, does not end well. One of the primary drivers in behaviour, food can alter a wild animal’s perception of potential threats (including people), entice them to take greater risks (such as crossing busy streets), and even lead to aggressive behaviour.
We love wild animals. We often catch ourselves wishing we could spend entire days surrounded by them, giving them fresh apples and hugs. But we need to respect them enough to let them be wild.
Work like our growing Living With Wildlife campaign is only possible with the support of monthly donors. Please consider become a monthly donor – for as little as $5 a month – and help us create a Canada that is truly humane.
