Seal cull disturbs reader

By Mary Jane Birch
Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society

Jun 29 2007

Dear editor:

I was disturbed by the recent announcement by DFO that they intend to begin the seal cull in the Puntledge River beginning in July.

I have been trained in seal pup rescue and have sent numerous seal pups to the only two wildlife centres permitted and equipped to handle seals on B.C.’s West Coast — Island Wildlife Centre on Salt Spring Island and Vancouver Aquarium. The number of seal pups rescued could increase dramatically, adding to the workload of these wildlife centres, as well as our own, with added demands on time spent in capture, transport, care and feeding as a direct result of a poorly timed cull. Delay of a cull will allow for normal behaviours in growth and development of young seals, who wean from their mothers in six short weeks.

I am a member of Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association as well as a member of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society, and sit on the board of directors for the Comox Valley Environmental Council. I am also a member of several wildlife rehabilitation associations, internationally and in B.C.

As a wildlife rehabilitator with several years experience in seal pup rescue, I must protest the timing of this seal cull. The initial discussion at the Comox Valley Environmental Council was made to cull seals immediately; it was suggested in April.

In the past, I have rescued many baby seal pups in July, since this is their normal pupping season. I have had calls about seal pups already this year, and historically have rescued pups as early as May.

The timing to initiate a cull now is wrong. The plan for action has waited far too long, and now I must protest and recommend that if a cull must occur that it not happen during July, August and September.

I attended a meeting at the Fish and Game club when the cull was proposed to the membership to take action.

I brought up the subject at the time that timing was critical and that seal pupping season was not the time to begin a cull, since many pups could be left orphaned as a result. I was assured by the executive that this would be taken into consideration.

When I joined the CVEC, I hoped to bring to the table some understanding of wildlife issues that are affected by human activities in this community. The seal cull discussion ensued, with the CVEC deciding to support a cull only if certain measures are taken to prevent this from becoming only a licence to kill every 10 years. A holistic approach was recommended by the members of the CVEC, in order to address this situation and consider all aspects of the causes and methods to deal with future problem seals in the river.

Many of the members on the board reluctantly agreed to this cull, but strongly wanted to see changes in how this issue will be dealt with in the future.

Please reconsider the timing of this cull and the effects it can have on young seals left to die of starvation on local beaches, while citizens and tourists demand our action to save them.

http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/

Char & Ziggy