If you’re out and about in the early hours of the morning in Oak Bay these days, you may spy a cluster of orange vests hard at work. It’s a significant moment for Oak Bay and the UWSS, as once again we’re out in the field – this time to administer an immuno-contraceptive vaccine (IC) to does in the Oak Bay area. Through our field research, we now know there are approximately 100 deer in Oak Bay. We estimate that around 60% – 70% are female, and we are aiming to vaccinate as many of these as we can before the rutting season begins in late October.
The municipality has been very helpful and we have over 500 property owners who have provided us with advance permission to access their property to IC – this will be a big help in streamlining the process! If you would like to complete a permission form, please go to https://www.oakbay.ca/our-community/news-media/spotlight/urban-deer or for more information on IC, please check out our FAQ page at: https://uwss.ca/faq/ .
If you do see our field team in those bright orange vests please give them space, and slow down if you’re in a vehicle so that the deer don’t startle.
And remember our photo contest – we are accepting entries until September 20! https://uwss.ca/photo-contest/