District Calls for Refuge Review
Go to http://www.nsnews.com/issues05/w061205/063205/news/063205nn4.html
Rosalind Duane and
Tim Walker
IN response to council and community concerns after the recent death of a grey wolf at the Grouse Mountain wildlife refuge, North Vancouver District is asking the province for a review of the facility's licences.
Council voted unanimously in favour of the move at Monday night's meeting, after Coun. Ernie Crist asked staff for a report to clarify the district's role in relation to the wildlife refuge.
The initial motion was for staff to prepare a report explaining the district's jurisdiction over the use of the facility, and if Grouse Mountain Resorts Ltd. was in violation of any district bylaws or policies leading up to the wolf's death.
However, Mayor Janice Harris suggested that the district draft a letter outlining the concerns raised by council and the community, and request that the provincial government intervene.
That revised motion was then passed unanimously.
During the meeting, Coun. Jim Cuthbert supported Crist's motion, saying there was growing support for a review of what happened on the mountain and that a review could start with a staff report.
Coun. Richard Walton said the district should involve Grouse Mountain representatives in any upcoming discussion about the facility.
James Ridge, chief administrative officer, said the district has zoning jurisdiction over the refuge, and current use is in line with zoning. Management of wildlife at the facility falls under jurisdiction of the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (MWLAP).
In an interview after the meeting, Grouse Mountain spokesman Chris Dagenais said all the licences and permits required for the facility are up-to-date.
The facility has zoning permits from the district, and permits from MWLAP to provide a home for wildlife at the site.
Dagenais said he recently received an e-mail from a MWLAP regional manager in the Lower Mainland, who stated that the ministry does not plan to review the current permits and practices at Grouse Mountain, and it is confident in the ability of staff at the facility to manage wildlife.
Daganais said until he hears differently from the province, the company has no intentions of making any changes at the wildlife refuge.
The incident that sparked concern about the wildlife facility occurred on May 24, when one of four grey wolves housed at the refuge was killed by one of the facility's two resident grizzly bears, after the bear and the wolf fought over a chew bone.
A May 27 North Shore News story reported that the bears and the wolves had been kept in separate enclosures until six days before the incident, when the two habitats were combined in an experimental program.
The program, which the story reported was modelled after a similar program in Sweden, places two species in the same area to mimic natural surroundings.
After the incident, the program was put on hold and the animals were returned to separate habitats.
Dagenais explained that the refuge was established four years ago when Grouse Mountain Resorts Ltd. was asked by MWLAP to help develop a protocol for the re-release of orphaned cubs.
Coola and Grinder, the first two orphaned cubs introduced into the facility, were going to be put down if they were not taken into the wildlife refuge, explained Dagenais.
He said the facility's mandate all along has been to offer a humane alternative for orphaned cubs.
"The bottom line is that we are giving a chance at life for this wildlife," said Dagenais.
However, Crist believes that the company used the cubs as an opportunity to establish a tourist attraction on the mountain to enhance business.
In an interview before Monday's council meeting, Crist said a proper process was not followed at the time the refuge was established, and the district was excluded from the decisions that affected the development of the facility at the mountain.
Crist said he personally believes the idea of putting animals behind fences in a zoo-like environment is outdated.
He added that although the district may not have exclusive power over the site, it does have some responsibility because the facility is located in the district.
He said he would like to involve residents and environmentalists in a community debate about a plan for the future of the facility.
posted on 06/15/2005