Listen to W̱SÁNEĆ (hw-say-nitch) Elder JSIṈTEN (j-sing-tunn, John Elliott) say SḰŦÁMEN QENÁȽ,ENEȻ SĆȺ (skw-thay-munn kwuh-nay-lth uh-nuck shay), which means “Taking Care of Sidney Island” in the W̱SÁNEĆ language of SENĆOŦEN (sen-chaw-thunn).
Protecting a unique forest
Arbutus trees, with their unique peeling bark, are an iconic species of the Coastal Douglas-fir forest ecosystem type.
The Coastal Douglas-fir forest is one of the smallest and most at-risk ecosystems in Canada. Preserving this special ecosystem is the reason Gulf Islands National Park Reserve was established in 2003.
Found only along the southern coast of British Columbia (and parts of Washington and Oregon), the Coastal Douglas-fir forest ecosystem makes up a mere 0.3% of the province’s total land area. It occurs in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula, resulting in a uniquely dry and sunny climate that hosts the highest diversity of plant species and the most species at risk in the province.
The Coastal Douglas-fir forest ecosystem is also home to rare species and ecological communities (groups of species that occur together) that are not found anywhere else in the country, such as the iconic arbutus tree or Garry oak meadows.
Unfortunately, this ecosystem is facing pressures that threaten its long-term survival. As a result of human development, this ecosystem is heavily fragmented. The protected parts of the ecosystem—which make up only 11% of the ecosystem’s area—are scattered in patches across the region. In many cases, these patches are then further threatened by invasive plant or wildlife species.
Parks Canada is working with project partners to restore and protect the forest on SḰŦÁMEN (Sidney Island).
Restoring an eco-cultural landscape
Parks Canada is collaborating with local First Nations to protect and share stories about the rich cultural history of this region. The biodiversity found here is a legacy of a millennia of active ecosystem management by First Nations peoples. Prior to European colonization, First Nations peoples tended to this landscape in a variety of ways, including through eco-cultural burning. They also regularly harvested foods and medicines from the islands in this region, including SḰŦÁMEN (Sidney Island).
W̱SÁNEC knowledge holder ŚW̱,XELOSELWET (sh-hw-hull-aw-sull-wutt) Tiffany Joseph shares more about the connections between the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples and SḰŦÁMEN (Sidney Island).
W̱SÁNEĆ peoples once lived in the winter village of ȾELXOLU (tsull-hall-oo) on what is now known as Sidney Island. The islets named by settlers as Sallas Rocks were known to the W̱SÁNEĆ as XEXMELOSEṈ (huh-mull-awe-sung) long before settler arrival. What Parks Canada calls Eagle Islet, the W̱SÁNEĆ say is known better to them as SḰEḰEŦÁMEN (skwuh-kwuh-thay-munn). When W̱SÁNEĆ people would paddle from their villages on the Saanich Peninsula and were crossing to their villages in the San Juan Islands, JSIṈTEN says the people would take a stopover at W̱YOMEĆEṈ (hw-yaw-much-ung) to take a break. W̱YOMEĆEṈ means place of caution. Perhaps this was a reminder to the W̱SÁNEĆ people to look after themselves in their travels. W̱IĆḴINEM (hw-eech-keen-umm) says his elders would harvest ferns on these islands, which were said to grow to heights taller than the height of an adult person.
When you look at historical maps, you’ll see evidence of meadows, particularly in the area of what is now an airstrip. These meadowlands were places for W̱SÁNEĆ families to grow ḰȽO,EL (kw-lhaw-ull) , or camas. Camas was a staple food in the W̱SÁNEĆ diet. Many animals, such as deer, also enjoy the meadowlands to forage for food, and this was a prime opportunity for W̱SÁNEĆ hunters to harvest deer to feed their families. The wetlands would have drawn other hunters in the form of birds of prey like the hawks and would be great habitat for amphibians.
The W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples’ experience of SḰŦÁMEN (Sidney Island) would have been much more abundant in biodiversity of plants, amphibians, birds, and insects. It wasn’t long ago that a person could lay in the fields among the hum of bees pollinating the meadow. Perhaps today you can still hear the frogs croaking during the WEXES (wuh-huss) moon (the second moon of the W̱SÁNEĆ new year). This moon tells us spring has arrived, and the flowers will be blooming, and that our canoe travels will be safer now that the fall and winter storms are over. These ṮEṮÁĆES (tluh-tlay-chuss) (islands) are relatives of the deep, placed in the sea by our creator XÁLS (hails) to protect the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples. XÁLS bestowed upon the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples the responsibility to care for these relatives as well. Living on the islands, harvesting seafoods, meat, plants, and medicines, tending to the meadows with controlled burns, selectively harvesting logs for cedar longhouses and cedar canoes, and stripping cedar bark for baskets and clothing were all integral to the well-being of the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples and every area of the territory.
What’s the issue?
In the 1960s, European fallow deer were introduced to Sidney Island for sport hunting. In the decades since then, the invasive fallow deer have stripped the ecosystem of native shrubs and tree seedlings. This extensive browsing created ideal conditions for invasive grasses and shrubs like English hawthorn and Scotch broom to take over. The result is an ecosystem that is missing many native and culturally significant understory plants that provide habitat for birds and wildlife. This ecosystem is in peril because fallow deer have been consistently eating young and tender tree seedlings for decades and destroying the forest undergrowth. The forest is now almost entirely made up of mature trees, with no younger generation ready to replace them as they age out and die. Action must be taken now to reverse this degradation.
The photo on the left shows the barren understory on Sidney Island, in contrast with the photo on the right from a nearby island, which shows a lush native understory and young-to-medium-aged trees ready to replace mature trees.
This photo from Sidney Island shows a patch of tree seedlings made up entirely of Grand fir, which is one of the only tree species whose seedlings survive the presence of fallow deer. Though grand firs are native, they are less fire-resistant than other native trees. Furthermore, monocultures are susceptible to pests and disease and offer limited nutrition and habitat for wildlife.
This photo from Sidney Island illustrates the difference between vegetation growing inside a fenced area that deer cannot access, compared to the limited growth outside the protected zone.
This photo from June 2024 shows that deer browsing is still impacting the growth of vegetation in the forest understory. The forest floor is primarily moss and forest litter except within the fenced enclosure.
In addition to ecological impacts, fallow deer have a cultural impact on Sidney Island. Read further to learn how fallow deer are a symbol of European colonization here and around the world.
Fallow deer, which are native to the Mediterranean region, have been a semi-domesticated species for roughly 3000 years. Throughout history, imperial powers—from the Phoenicians to the Romans to the British Empire—have transported them all over the world for venison farming and sport hunting. Due to their impacts on forest ecosystems and agriculture, they are considered an invasive or pest species in many places.
W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations representatives have shared that on Sidney Island, fallow deer are a symbol of the impacts of colonization on this region’s ecology. Their ongoing presence prevents local First Nations from practicing Aboriginal and Treaty rights like hunting and harvesting native foods and medicines. The removal of this invasive species not only facilitates ecological recovery, but also the recovery of cultural practices and First Nations stewardship.
What has been done?
Recreational hunting has taken place on Sidney Island since the introduction of fallow deer for that purpose. Since 1981, the residential community has maintained records indicating how many deer were removed each year, and by which methods.
Between 1981 and 2023, almost 15,000 deer have been hunted or culled from the private portion of the island. Since 2005, annual Indigenous hunting has also occurred within the national park reserve.
Despite these immense efforts, the fallow deer population has never been successfully maintained at a level for the ecosystem to recover. The fallow deer population reproduces so quickly that hunting and culling cannot keep numbers at a sustainable level.
Rather than continue with this ineffective cycle of population reduction and rebound, project partners concluded that a permanent solution is needed: the complete removal of the invasive deer population.
Permanently remove the invasive European fallow deer population.
Remove invasive plant species and re-establish native trees and shrubs.
Plan for the long-term, sustainable management of native black-tailed deer (following their return to the island).
Eradication: a globally proven conservation method
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identifies invasive species as one of the top four drivers of biodiversity loss around the world, and notes that island ecosystems are particularly vulnerable. The eradication of invasive species from island ecosystems has been widely implemented with a high rate of success.
Parks Canada has engaged with international conservation management agencies with considerable experience in ungulate eradications to identify globally proven removal methods for Sidney Island that will maximize the probability of success while ensuring that the operation is undertaken safely and as humanely as possible.
Timeline
See below for a timeline showing how the presence of fallow deer has evolved, the attempts to control the population, and the milestones of the Sidney Island Ecosystem Restoration Project.
Timeline
1960s: Fallow deer population established on Sidney Island.
1981: Community hunting records begin. Recreational hunting occurs annually.
1987–91: A first culling period temporarily reduced the population, before it rebounded.
1999–2004: A second culling period temporarily reduced the population, before it rebounded.
2006: The fallow deer population peaked at over 2,000.
2007–18: A third culling period reduced the population from over 2,000.
2018: Interested parties, including Parks Canada, began meeting to brainstorm restoration and stewardship strategies for SḰŦÁMEN (Sidney Island).
2019: Representatives from each of the partner groups formed a Steering Committee and working groups.
April 2020: A shared vision for restoration was developed. Parks Canada, the Province of BC, Islands Trust Conservancy, and the Sidney Island residents signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining their shared intentions to work towards improving forest health. The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and Pauquachin First Nation provided letters of support.
Spring–summer 2020: Parks Canada and partners successfully trialed methods to control invasive English hawthorn.
Spring 2021: Working groups produced a comprehensive ecological restoration proposal. Partners shared information with the media about the proposal and solicited public feedback through the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry.
Fall 2021: Vegetation restoration began. Parks Canada and Sidney Island residents built 10 fenced exclosures across the island and planted native shrubs and trees in them.
Winter 2021–22: Parks Canada and partners successfully trialed various tools and approaches (e.g., fencing, deterrents, etc.) to help determine which would be most effective in supporting eradication efforts.
Spring 2022: Parks Canada tendered a contract for eradication logistical planning and recommendations on the approach. This contract also included the ability to implement the eradication if project partners approved.
Winter 2022–23: All project partners approved the implementation of the restoration proposal, including eradication of invasive fallow deer, vegetation restoration, and future black-tailed deer management.
Winter–spring 2023: The first round of English hawthorn and Scotch broom treatment and removal occurred across the island.
Summer 2023: Parks Canada solicited public feedback on the Detailed Impact Assessment. Partners shared information with the media about the project.
Fall 2023: The Detailed Impact Assessment was finalized, including a “What We Heard” report summarizing feedback.
December 1–11, 2023: Phase 1 of the eradication operation completed, which served as a reconnaissance to study fallow deer behavior in advance of Phase 2.
Spring–summer 2024: Project partners refined the safety and operational plan specific to Phase 2 activities.
Spring–fall 2024: Project partners will continue native plant and shrub restoration and the removal of invasive vegetation.
Fall 2024–spring 2025: Phase 2 of the deer eradication will be implemented and will include operations to verify the complete removal of deer from the island.
Spring 2025–spring 2028: Native plant restoration and the removal of invasive vegetation will continue.
Parks Canada staff and volunteers planted native vegetation in ten exclosures across Sidney Island in the fall of 2021.
Parks Canada staff cut down invasive English hawthorn and apply a treatment to stumps to prevent regrowth. In the coming years, native shrubs and trees will be planted in these areas.
These photos show one of the exclosures in 2020 and again in 2024, illustrating the rapid change. The exclosures will serve as foraging and nesting habitat for wildlife, who will spread seeds to other areas on the island.
While invasive European fallow deer have heavily damaged the forest, native black-tailed deer evolved within the Coastal Douglas-fir forest ecosystem and are an important part of the landscape. The long-term vision for Sidney Island includes a sustainably managed black-tailed deer population, which will support Indigenous hunting within the national park reserve.
For over a year, project partners explored options for retaining the native black-tailed deer during the eradication, either by relocating them or by penning them. Neither option is viable because black-tailed deer have an extremely low tolerance for being penned and are susceptible to capture myopathy during relocation. Because scent-indicating dogs cannot differentiate between the two species of deer, it is impossible to declare a full eradication of fallow deer if black-tailed deer are present. Therefore, all deer on Sidney Island are intentionally being removed.
However, unlike fallow deer, native black-tailed deer are strong swimmers that can move between islands, and it is highly likely they will naturally return to Sidney Island in the years following the eradication.
Read further to learn more about the differences between invasive fallow deer and native black-tailed deer.
The most obvious difference between fallow deer and black-tailed deer is their appearance. Fallow deer are lighter in colour, maintain spots throughout adulthood, have moose-like palmate antlers, and have a black upside-down horseshoe marking on their rumps. Black-tailed deer are darker in colour, lose their spots as adults, have spikier antlers, and—as their name suggests—have a black-tipped tail.
However, it is the differences in their behaviour and physiology that makes fallow deer a bigger threat to the Coastal Douglas-fir forest ecosystem.
Fallow deer are grazers, who eat a broader range of foods than black-tailed deer. While both species eat leaves, tender shoots, herbaceous plants, and fruits and nuts when available, fallow deer have a stronger tendency to eat grasses and more fibrous, less nutrient-dense woody vegetation. This gives them the ability to clear sections of vegetation down to bare soil, which creates the perfect condition for invasive plants to move in.
Fallow deer also prefer to live in large herds, whereas black-tailed deer are more solitary and prefer to live in smaller groups. As a result, impacts from fallow deer are more concentrated.
Finally, black-tailed deer are strong swimmers that move among the Southern Gulf Islands. If food becomes scarce, or the density of deer is too high, black-tailed deer can leave in search of a preferable habitat. Fallow deer, on the other hand, are not natural swimmers. A recent genetic analysis showed no genetic mixing between fallow deer populations on Mayne Island, Sidney Island and James Island, indicating they are not swimming between these islands. Further, a lack of fallow deer on Vancouver Island suggest fallow deer are not swimming the short distance from James Island to Vancouver Island. Instead, fallow deer prefer to stay in one place—even if that place is a highly degraded habitat that cannot provide adequate food, as was the case in the early 2000s when the population was highest, and a portion of the herd was emaciated.
Frequently asked questions
For more information, to share a concern, or to request a copy of the Detailed Impact Assessment or the “What We Heard” report, contact Stephanie Coulson, Partnering and Engagement Officer, at Stephanie.Coulson@pc.gc.ca. Questions can be directed to Gulf Islands National Park Reserve at gulfinfo@pc.gc.ca, 250-654-4000, or toll free at 1-866-944-1744.
Why are Parks Canada and project partners restoring the forest on SḰŦÁMEN (Sidney Island)?
Found only along the southern coast of British Columbia and parts of Washington and Oregon, the Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem is one of the most ecologically diverse and imperilled zones in Canada. Invasive fallow deer have severely degraded the ecosystem on Sidney Island. Decades of population reduction through hunting and culling have not resulted in long-term improvement, which is why the Sidney Island Ecological Restoration Project was put in place.
Who are the project partners?
The project has been collaboratively built from the ground up, with project partners co-developing the project’s vision and goals and co-designing restoration actions. Project partners include Parks Canada, W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, Tsawout First Nation, Pauquachin First Nation, the Sidney Island community, the Province of BC, and the Islands Trust Conservancy. Additional participation and support have been provided by Cowichan Tribes and Penelakut Tribe.
Why are fallow deer considered a problem?
In the early 20th century, European settlers brought fallow deer—a species not native to North America—from England to the Southern Gulf Islands for farming and sport hunting. The population grew rapidly, and ecological issues resulting from over-abundance and extensive browsing were soon apparent.
Fallow deer live in larger groups and eat a broader variety of food than native black-tailed deer. Since their introduction to Sidney Island, fallow deer have eaten much of the forest’s native understory, including important food and medicine plants that First Nations Peoples have harvested there for generations. Very few tree seedlings survive longer than a few years before being eaten, resulting in a forest of mature trees, with few young trees to take their place. In the absence of native trees and shrubs, invasive species like English hawthorn, Scotch broom, and non-native grasses have spread.
For over forty years, significant efforts have been made to control the fallow deer population through annual hunting and organized culls. However, the population reproduces too quickly for these efforts to result in sustained ecological recovery. Now, project partners have come together to take permanent action to support enduring recovery into the future: complete removal of fallow deer.
Why is Parks Canada contracting eradication specialists rather than working with recreational hunters?
Over the past 40 years, recreational hunters, Indigenous hunters, and community-led culls have made important contributions towards reducing the fallow deer population. However, enough of the population has always remained to enable the population to rebound. Now, Parks Canada has contracted experienced eradication specialists to remove the remaining population entirely, to ensure that the population cannot rebound and that the forest recovery supported by this project will last into the future.
Eradication is very different than hunting or culling and requires different tactics and skillsets. While there are many skilled hunters locally and across Canada who would be able to reduce the population, there are no specialists who have experience participating in successful ungulate eradications, particularly in a residential environment with full-time residents present.
In an eradication, every individual animal must be successfully identified and removed no matter how difficult they are to locate or access. As an eradication proceeds, deer can learn how to avoid the techniques being used, making them harder to find and requiring the use of more specialized and non-traditional techniques over time. The last few deer are especially difficult to find and remove, and require highly specialized tactics used in a systematic way so that even the most wary deer cannot avoid detection. These tactics include the use of tools like infrared and aerial surveys to determine whether there are any deer left in the area, and specialized scent-indicating dogs to locate the remaining deer.
On Sidney Island, locating and removing deer is further complicated because the southern perimeter of the island includes private residential lots. After decades of recreational hunting, the deer have learned that the lots are places where they cannot be hunted, and they move to those private lots when they suspect that hunting activities are taking place. The eradication specialists have the appropriate tools and experience required to a) identify which lots have deer on them, b) direct those deer into zones where they can be safely and humanely dispatched, c) prevent deer from returning to private lots, and d) confirm that the lots are empty. In some cases, this must be achieved without setting foot on the lot, which requires tools like Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR), thermal-imaging devices, or scent-indicating dogs to locate animals on lots, and employing a helicopter to direct deer movement from the air.
Finally, to determine that there are no deer remaining, detection tools (e.g., FLIR/thermal-imaging devices, scent-indicating dogs, aerial surveys) must be systematically applied to the entire island repeatedly. Should any deer be detected during these sweeps, they will be safely and humanely dispatched.
Overall, applying this specialized approach requires the coordinated efforts of highly trained specialists, who have experience safely and successfully using these tactics in other similar residential environments.
Why is Parks Canada contracting foreign eradication specialists rather than Canadian specialists?
In May 2022, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), on behalf of Parks Canada, posted a public contract. Coastal Conservation Inc., a Canadian firm, was awarded the contract based on their expertise and capability to deliver on the project.
Coastal Conservation is comprised of eradication experts and scientists who have worked throughout North America and globally to plan and implement numerous successful invasive species eradications.
What methods are being used for the eradication, and why?
The methods used for this project are based on globally accepted best practices for achieving safe, humane, and efficient removal of all deer within a population. The following methods are being used during this project:
Aerial herding: A single helicopter will be used for short periods of time to encourage deer to move from inaccessible zones (e.g., residential lots) into open areas where they can be safely and humanely dispatched by ground markspersons.
Ground shooting: Markspersons will traverse the island to locate and safely and humanely dispatch deer.
Scent-indicating dogs: Scent-indicating dogs follow wind and ground scent trails while staying close to their handlers. They indicate when the target scent has been found and is getting stronger through body language and change of pace. Once a dog makes visual contact with the target animal, it will stop and indicate or point towards the animal’s location so the marksperson can locate and humanely dispatch the animal. The dogs do not chase the target animal. Scent-indicating dogs will also be used to confirm eradication success by through systematic grid searches of the entire island. To learn more about scent-tracking “conservation dogs,” click here.
Temporary fenced zones: Temporary fencing, constructed out of repurposed aquaculture netting, will be installed to divide the island into smaller zones. Each zone will be cleared systematically and then re-checked multiple times to ensure that no deer remain or have re-entered the zone. The fencing will be removed when the operation is complete.
Forward-looking infrared (FLIR)/ thermal imaging: Thermal imaging, which detects body heat, allows eradication specialists to detect deer at night. Thermal imaging can be used from the ground or air.
Deterrents: Some scents and sounds that are unpleasant to deer—like synthetic wolf scent, or the sound of human voices played through a speaker—may be deployed near inaccessible areas to discourage deer from going there.
Attractants: Bait stations may be deployed in areas well away from residences to encourage deer to gather and be safely and humanely dispatched.
Which firearms are being used in this project, and are they prohibited?
The firearms being used for this project are CZ BREN 2. These firearms are not prohibited in Canada and can be legally purchased by anyone with a Restricted firearms Possession and Acquisition License (RPAL). All markspersons working on this project have successfully passed the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course training and were issued RPALs by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), granting them permission to possess and use the firearms. Markspersons are also permitted the use of suppressors and extended magazines for this operation under Coastal Conservation’s business firearms license. The ammunition being used is LeHigh Defense Controlled Chaos .223 copper ammunition. All necessary statutory and regulatory authorities were granted for this operation, including permits granted by Parks Canada, Transport Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and the RCMP.
Semi-automatic firearms are the standard used in professional ungulate eradication operations around the world. They are chosen because they are reliable, accurate and effective. They are fitted with a noise suppressor to reduce noise disturbance and for the health and safety of the markspersons and professional detection dogs. Extended magazines are being used so that it is not necessary to stop and reload in the middle of engaging with a group of animals.
Were options other than eradication considered?
During the collaborative planning process, other options were evaluated based on efficacy (ability to achieve the objective of complete population removal), safety, animal welfare, cost, and expediency (reducing disruption to residents and visitors). These options included:
Capturing and relocating – This option is not viable, as it would simply transfer the problem somewhere else.
Surgical sterilization – This would require capturing and performing surgery on every male or every female over several years, which poses significant feasibility challenges and is unlikely to achieve the goal of complete population removal.
Contraception – This would require capturing and applying contraceptives to most females multiple times throughout their lifespan, which poses significant feasibility challenges and is unlikely to achieve the goal of complete population removal.
Ultimately, these options have a lower chance of success, and would not yield the rapid results needed to support the recovery and restoration of this ecosystem. A detailed review of project options is presented in the Detailed Impact Assessment which can be obtained by contacting Stephanie Coulson at Stephanie.Coulson@pc.gc.ca.
What occurred during Phase 1 of the eradication?
Phase 1 of the eradication of fallow deer took place over 10 days between December 1-11, 2023. During this phase, three highly trained, certified markspersons used globally recognized methods to humanely reduce the deer population. A total of 84 deer were removed through nighttime ground-based hunting and daytime aerial work. The aerial work included one marksperson operating out of a single helicopter deployed for a total of 15 hours over 5 days.
Throughout Phase 1, Parks Canada staff worked closely with First Nations harvesters to recover meat, hides, and other usable materials, for distribution within local W̱SÁNEĆ communities. Harvesters recovered an estimated total of over 800 kg (1,800 lbs) of meat.
All removals were consistent with guidelines from the Canadian Council on Animal Care.
Parks Canada safety officers and a community liaison were present to oversee the safe implementation and to provide updates to the Sidney Island residential community. Safety messaging included an internal community webpage, regular text and email updates, signage, and routinely monitored barricades to prevent unintentional access to active operational zones.
During Phase 1, the markspersons also undertook ground truthing to support planning for Phase 2. This allowed them to familiarize themselves with the terrain and environmental features of the project site, as well as deer behaviour and movement patterns.
Why were black-tailed deer removed during Phase 1?
All deer present on Sidney Island are intentionally being removed. To determine that the eradication is complete, scent-indicating dogs undertake systematic grid-like searches of the island looking for fresh deer scent, and the operation can only be determined to be complete when the dogs no longer find fresh scent. The dogs cannot differentiate between black-tailed deer and fallow deer. If black-tailed deer remained on-island, the dogs would continually indicate ‘false positives’ and it would be impossible to determine when or if all the fallow deer were removed.
However, unlike fallow deer, black-tailed deer are strong swimmers that move among the Southern Gulf Islands. Black-tailed deer populations are abundant in this region and thus anticipated to naturally re-establish on Sidney Island in time.
What will happen during Phase 2?
Phase 2 operations will take place between late fall 2024 and late spring 2025. Set-up for Phase 2, including the installation of temporary fencing across the island, is taking place in the summer of 2024.
During Phase 2, the interior zones of the island will be sub-divided into smaller zones using temporary fencing. Deer will be encouraged to move from the perimeter of the island into the interior fenced zones through the use of attractants (bait stations) and deterrents (scent and sound disturbances).
Then, each zone will be systematically cleared by markspersons with scent-indicating dogs. The perimeter of the island, including private residential lots, will be periodically assessed to ensure there are no deer present in these areas.
When the fenced zones have been cleared, the entire island will be systematically swept for signs of remaining deer. Once the island has been swept multiple times, with no new deer scent or other evidence of deer, the island will be declared deer-free and the operation will conclude. Parks Canada staff will then dismantle the temporary fencing.
How is the eradication being conducted humanely?
The humane treatment of animals is a priority for Parks Canada and project partners. Partners recognize that eradication of an animal population is reserved for situations where no other options are available to meet the long-term and sustainable outcomes desired in this project.
The methods selected for this project are globally proven and align with internationally recognized principles for ethical wildlife control and follow the guidelines on humane kills set out by the Canadian Council on Animal Care.
In addition, project partners consulted with the BC SPCA throughout project planning and met with the SPCA’s Manager of Wild Animal Welfare to discuss the details of the operation. Representatives from the BC SPCA have observed eradication activities from an animal welfare perspective. Please visit the BC SPCA website for more information on their position on this issue.
Parks Canada is a recognized leader in conservation and has a proven record of effective ecosystem management. For more information about the Principles of Ethical Wildlife Control that project partners used during project planning, click here.
What is happening with the meat?
First Nations harvesters, with support from Parks Canada staff, are recovering meat, hides, and other materials, which will be distributed within local First Nations communities. An estimated total of over 800 kg (1,800 lbs) of meat was recovered during Phase 1.
How does Parks Canada know fallow deer will not return to Sidney Island from nearby James Island?
In the Southern Gulf Islands, there are fallow deer populations on James Island, Mayne Island, and Sidney Island. Based on global research and local genetic evidence, the risk of fallow deer reinvading Sidney Island from Mayne Island or James Island is low.
A genetic study completed in 2022 shows that fallow deer populations on James Island, Sidney Island, and Mayne Island have remained genetically isolated, which means that the animals have not been swimming between islands and breeding. Therefore, the risk of fallow deer re-invading Sidney Island from Mayne Island or James Island is low Additionally, fallow deer have been established on Mayne Island since the 1990s but have not established a herd on Saturna Island despite the two islands nearly touching.
Further, James Island is closer to Vancouver Island than it is to Sidney Island. If fallow deer were swimming from James Island regularly, we would expect a population of fallow deer on Vancouver Island, which there is not.
As an added precaution, a biosecurity plan is being developed that will allow Parks Canada and project partners to rapidly detect and respond to evidence of fallow deer on the island, in the event that it occurs, and keep Sidney Island fallow deer-free into the future.
When will plant restoration work take place?
Parks Canada staff dissecting seeds collected in the national park reserve. Seeds like these will be used to restore native plants.
To support the restoration of a healthy and diverse understory, Parks Canada is planting a variety of native plants in fenced exclosures on the island. So far, twelve exclosures have been built and planted with over 300 native and culturally important plants. These exclosures will be a seed source for the surrounding areas. They will also provide pockets of habitat for wildlife.
Additionally, Parks Canada is collaborating with partners under the federal 2 Billion Trees program, including the planting of important trees to replace invasive hawthorn on SḰŦÁMEN (Sidney Island).
How much does this project cost, and how is that money being spent?
The project’s total cost is projected to be $12.72 million, including $11.9 million through the Parks Canada Conservation and Restoration program, and the remainder through the federal Indigenous Guardians program and 2 Billion Trees program. The project is also supported by in-kind contributions from Sallas Forest Strata, Islands Trust Conservancy, and the Province of British Columbia.
Why is it crucial to undertake this project now?
It is important to conserve and restore imperilled ecosystems for present and future generations. Although many efforts have been made to protect the island from the destructive impacts of fallow deer, it has become clear that these efforts are not resulting in the long-term sustainability of this ecosystem.
For decades, deer browse has prevented tree seedlings from surviving past their first couple of years. As a result, the forest is almost entirely made up of mature trees who will begin to reach the ends of their natural lifespans in the coming years. If there are no young trees waiting to replace them, the ecosystem will change dramatically.
To build climate resilience into the ecosystem, the re-establishment of the forest understory is critical as this prevents the proliferation of invasive plant species such as Scotch broom which is very flammable.
The time to act is now, and thanks to the efforts of all project partners, there is hope that SḰŦÁMEN (Sidney Island) will thrive again.
