Editor: As land development in Canmore, especially for residential uses, consumes more irreplaceable wildlife habitat, human-wildlife conflicts are bound to arise.
I think it’s obvious that the fragmentation of wild and forested areas by land developers have increasingly favoured certain “edge species” such as rodents (ground squirrels, chipmunks, mice, etc.).
It may be that, in the eyes of some in Canmore, ground squirrels are considered pests, but there is still no reason for the cruel way these animals are currently being killed.
Poisoning with substances such as strychnine should be banned because of the slow way it kills. Respiratory functions shut down slowly while the squirrel gasps for air. Likewise, fumigation of the burrow system and drowning.
Ground squirrels do feel pain, so only humane methods are acceptable, for example: capture and relocation.
Additionally, using poisons and noxious gases to control squirrels or any wildlife species within Canmore town limits, in areas where pets and young children are playing, is very dangerous to more than just the species that’s trying to be eliminated. It kills other wildlife species as well and posting warning signs in the area does not eliminate this danger.
Human-wildlife conflicts will continue to rise with raids on gardens by animals searching for food, and often leading to the predation by carnivores of small household pets left unattended in unfenced back yards. These poor and unfortunate creatures become irresistible bait for wild carnivores and, if killed, the carnivores are hunted down.
Human-wildlife conflicts arise with the harassment of wildlife by off-leash dogs that are allowed by thoughtless owners to run free in nearby wildlife habitats, and predation of native songbirds and other animals by domestic cats.
Conflict between people and wildlife will inevitably increase with more and more land development, and is one of the main threats to the continued survival of many wildlife species.
As the human population expands and natural habitats shrink, people and animals in Canmore are increasingly coming into conflict over living space and food.
Patricia Gray,
Canmore
