The article (link below) states that research has shown a ratio of one deer per square kilometre is optimal. Thetis Island is 10.16km2, and I suspect there are more than 10 deer on the island.
One example in the article that resonated for me is the bit about the lilies. When I first started coming to Thetis Island in the mid 1990’s, there were large numbers of White Fawn Lilies on our property in the spring. Today we’re lucky to find a dozen. Also, at that time we would see an occasional deer but nothing like today where we see a group of 5 or 6 grazing nearly every day.
I can also say that when I drive along the top of Moore Hill, I can now clearly see the rock escarpment when 20 years ago it was more difficult to see through the understory. I now also see fewer bats, dragon flies and saplings. Are these connected?
The article raises some interesting concerns on other gulf islands, so I wonder if Thetis Island is being affected in the same way, and if others have noticed any reduction of biodiversity on the island.
Cheers,
Peter de Hoog
PS. I’m not trying to start a committee to ban deer, but I may build a fence 😉