Mar 30, 2020
If you saw the now familiar orange safety vests and a man
carrying what looks like a rifle (he’s a wildlife veterinarian and it’s a dart
projector!) you’ll know that our field team was once again out in the field
this March.
The purpose of the fieldwork was two-fold. One was to check the fit of the collars
placed on 40 does in the Fall of 2019. The
second purpose of being in the field this winter/spring was to re-mark a
control group.
Collar Fit
Because we were out in the field again to capture a control group, we used the opportunity to double-check on collar fit. There were some concerns voiced from the community that the collars used to identify does that have received immuno-contraception are too snug, and we have been following those concerns up diligently. We checked on many of the does that were specifically reported to us since September with concerns of a too snug collar, and Dr. Hering, our wildlife veterinarian, was able to report that in fact the collars are fitting well. Nine does were re-captured, their necks re-measured to look for growth and that the collars are not causing any problems. None of the collars that were checked are fitting too snugly or appear to be causing the animals any problems and so it was not necessary to replace or remove any collars because of inappropriate fit. The fit is very similar to that of a dog collar on a dog, which is what he was aiming for. However the collars can appear to fit snugger than they actually are, due to winter fur growth.
Although from a distance it can look as though a collar is too snug, when you’re up close it is much easier to tell how much room there actually is under the collar. Dr. Hering has been really pleased with how the deer’s necks look with the identification collars, there is far less chafing than with the much looser GPS collars used on the original control group!
Control Group
Our original control group of 20 (down to 17 due to mortalities)
were wearing GPS collars (those loose ones with the big bling!) that were timed
to automatically drop off this February and March. Due to an unexpected provincial requirement
that delayed immuno-contraception by a year, we need a control group for at
least another year. So, as the original
collars “blow” off, we re-captured some of the same animals (and in some cases
new animals), for 18 does in total, and fit them with new colourful marker collars. These collars are even more light weight than
the originals, have only 2 smaller tags, and were provided to us by Margo
Supplies (https://www.margosupplies.com/ca-en/),
a family-owned and operated company with over 35 years of safe, effective,
non-lethal wildlife management solutions.
We have loved the privilege of working with Margo Supplies.
If you see an animal with pink tags on her collar you will
know that she is a control animal and was not given contraception this
year!
Impact of COVID-19
Although we had hoped to re-mark 20 does and do a few more
collar checks (we’ve also been taking a blood sample to help determine
pregnancy rates, results not in), due to COVID-19 and the health guidelines for
physical distancing, we have wrapped up field work until September 2020 when we
will head out again to booster the does that received IC in the Fall of 2019,
and give a primary vaccine to up to 60 new does.
In the meantime, we hope you and your families and friends keep
healthy and safe.
Nov 27, 2019
Over the past two years, you may have got used to seeing 20 does wandering around with collars that have four large tags in a variety of colours hanging from their necks. These deer are the control group for the Oak Bay Urban Deer Research Project and the collars are equipped with GPS, which has allowed our research team to track the does and collect data on their movement patterns, numbers, density and more.
This fall, 60 does, not including the control group, received an immuno-contraceptive (IC) vaccine. In order to be able to evaluate the impact of IC on the deer population, these does were fitted with a simple collar, as well as ear tags. The collars and ear tags are colour coded in order to allow for individual identification and give our researchers precise information.
The two collars fit very differently. The 20 GPS collars are quite loose, to allow for movement of the collar when the deer are moving and eating, due to the GPS “box” and the tags.
The IC collars do not have a large GPS box on them, or tags. Instead, the identification system is based on the colour of the collars, and the colour of two numbered ear tags that were also put on the does (along with one small provincial tag). These collars fit high on the neck and are quite snug to reduce chafing – we are always looking for ways to ensure the comfort of the deer. The fit of these collars minimizes movement as it’s not necessary without the tags and GPS box. The collars fit like a dog collar, allowing for two/three fingers to slide comfortably under the collar. They were fitted very carefully by our wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Hering.
We have had a few concerned citizens contact us that the collars seem too snug, and that the neck of the doe is “bulging” over the collar. Dr. Hering followed up on one such sighting a few weeks ago, and he was still able to easily slide his fingers under the collar – it was just the winter fur that has grown in since the field work that made it look snugger. He was happy to report that the fur and skin under the collar were in good shape.
Despite the collars appearing very snug, a few of the collars may have still been loose enough to slip down the neck a little bit, in fact unintentionally tightening them. We don’t think this is an issue and that it’s still the fur that creates the illusion of the collars appearing overly snug. However we have really appreciated citizens taking photos and letting us know of their concerns so that we can follow up. We recently had a reporting of a doe in the Falkland area that Dr. Hering would like to check out. If you see her, please note the colour of her collar and ear tags and send us an email at [email protected] so that we can locate her and have Dr. Hering evaluate.
Some people have also expressed concern that the collars will tighten as young deer grow. The collars on younger deer were fitted a bit more loosely to allow for growing over the winter. The collars all have a “rot off” so that over time the elements will cause the material to break down and the collars will drop off. For more information on the collars please go to https://uwss.ca/faqs-about-collars/ .
As always, we are grateful for the involvement of the community in this project. Our goal is to provide evidence-based, scientific information without compromising the deer. Their well-being is our first priority. If you do see a doe that concerns you, please contact us. It would be very helpful if you could note the collar colour and ear tag colour/number if possible. If you can safely take a photo, that would also be very helpful.
Nov 5, 2019
As Hallowe’en came and went, the immuno-contraception(IC) portion of the science-based Oak Bay Urban Deer Research Project came to a close for this year. What a successful September and October it’s been!
However, prior to the field work beginning in early September, there was a great deal of “behind the scenes” work, with Dr. Jason Fisher leading the research on strategies for studying deer populations, densities, space use, habitat selection, distribution and movement patterns. This research is an incredibly important component of this multi-year research project as it gives not only this community but others, information on urban Columbian Black-tailed deer ecology that has not been known before. All of this information is helping wildlife biologists, the province and other communities understand more about the indigenous urban deer populations in our midst. It’s important to remember that while many of us rarely saw deer in urban setting as recently as 10 years ago, they have been on this land for thousands of years, as indicated in First Nations historical records.
To that point, we are proud to have received the endorsement of the Songhees Nation for IC as the best management tool for the indigenous black-tailed deer population.
A first set of data, collected from twenty GPS collared does and 39 motion sensitive cameras was analyzed last winter (see preliminary report https://uwss.ca/our-research/ ) , and an expanded dataset will be analyzed this coming winter and after fawning season ends next summer. The next set of data will help our wildlife scientists better understand the fawning rate and population structure (e.g. ratio of bucks, does, and fawns in the population).
While the important research continues, the next step was to actually provide IC to does this fall, with the number of does determined based on the initial dataset. Although we had a permit to IC up to 80 does, we knew from the preliminary report that that would be the high end of the number of does, particularly as a control group of 20 does does not receive IC. However we were prepared to treat as many as we could in the short window available for IC field work.
So what did IC actually involve? Between early September and the end of October, wildlife veterinarian Dr. Adam Hering, along with a volunteer field team including other wildlife veterinarians, Dr. Jason Fisher, and his team of wildlife biologists, grad students and community members, sedated and then administered an immuno-contraceptive to 60 does.
While the does were sedated and their vital signs carefully monitored, the field teams took blood and fur samples that are sent to the Province for analysis. The does were then collared and ear-tagged with colour codes for individual identification before the sedation was reversed. Beginning in mid-September and right through to the end of October, all but three of those 60 does received a booster shot that increases the efficacy of the vaccine to between 85 – 95%.
This means that next spring, we expect that only the does that did not receive a vaccine, as there were some, and the control group, will give birth to fawns. The post IC data collection will give us important information but it’s likely that there could be a reduction in the fawing rate by approximately 60 to 90 fawns (the younger ones would only have given birth to one fawn, and those that have reached their 4th birthday would likely have had twins).
Of the 60 does, 8 were fitted with a prototype GPS collar that we are testing for Margo Supplies, an Alberta company that works to provide proven solutions to wildlife management challenges. Margo Supplies has worked with both Dr. Fisher and Dr. Hering in the past, and we were delighted to have the opportunity to trial these lightweight and innovative collars – another example of how so many stakeholders have come together to develop and implement a scientifically-based urban deer non-lethal deer management strategy.
As of October 31st, this first year of IC came to a close. This is because there is a small window of time that we have to vaccinate does – after fawning season and the summer, but before rutting season begins, usually at the end of October. Our provincial permit therefore expired on October 31, and a new one will be applied for when we next go out into the field. We see signs that rutting season has begun now, and this is a good opportunity to remind everyone to give bucks lots of space over the next month – please go to our website https://uwss.ca/about-our-deer/ for information on how to reduce human-deer conflict.
The urban deer project in Oak Bay is funded by the municipality, the Province of BC, and through the volunteer work of the UWSS. It’s a research initiative, with the key focus continuing to be the collection and analysis of data that continually informs next steps. The community engagement has been overwhelming, with over 650 home-owners allowing field work to occur on their property, and citizen scientists helping locate deer for vaccinations and boostering.
The work of the UWSS as part of the unique three-way partnership (four including the community!) is being widely recognized as a positive and hopeful approach to managing urban deer. Continuing with this cutting edge and innovative research project led by Dr. Fisher will be key to ensuring its success, and will benefit not just Oak Bay, but also other communities across the CRD, BC and Canada, that are struggling with managing urban deer populations.
Aug 21, 2019
Yes, the UWSS may be currently focused on urban deer, but we are the Urban Wildlife stewardship society and care about all creatures.
This philosophy is personified by our very own lead scientist Dr. Jason Fisher, who was featured in a recent Oak Bay News article on the importance of wildlife corridors that connect protected areas. Jason supervised the research of UVic PhD graduate Frances Stewart as she tracked 10 fishers using biologging technology.
Sound familiar? While the study was based in the Beaver Hills biosphere of Alberta, the fishers apparently share some travelling habits of Oak Bay’s indigenous deer. But the corridors for deer are often busy roads and crossing from one area to another can be treacherous.
Fortunately, if people are driving the speed limit (or slower, in the areas where they expect deer) and scanning ahead, the chances of an accident are greatly reduced. From fishers to deer, let’s keep our wildlife safe!
Apr 14, 2019
First Oak Bay Preliminary Progress Report
It’s been awhile since we last posted – it’s been busy!
Since January, our Project Manager, Sandra Frey, along with data analyst Joanna Burger, and our lead scientist Dr. Jason Fisher, finalized a Preliminary Progress Report as required by the Province of BC and presented it to Oak Bay Council on February 19, for subsequent submission to the Province.
What’s the bottom line?
Based on the data from August 2018, there are between 72 – 128 deer in Oak Bay, with a 95% confidence interval. This is a very precise number and will likely be narrowed even more as more data is analyzed.
We’ve also learned that the deer population is not distributed evenly throughout Oak Bay, with the highest concentrations in the Uplands, around the golf courses, and near Oliver and Brighton Streets.
The cutting-edge research and statistical techniques being used in the Oak Bay/Provincial/UWSS Research Project are providing important insights into Oak Bay’s deer population that will inform effective management strategies in the future. For instance, some residents estimated the number of deer to be much higher, often between 400 – 1000….we can now say conclusively, based on the scientific evidence, that the median number of deer in Oak Bay is actually … 97.
It’s important to remember that if you are seeing multiple deer, you are likely seeing the same deer multiple times, rather than multiple deer one time each!
The full report can be seen at:
https://oakbay.civicweb.net/document/34079/UWSS_ProgressReport-2019.pdf?handle=7FA15A7A7CE14BA8859C6A6A0EC3ACAF
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
