Focus Wildlife and Canadian Wildlife Service at odds over cannon net use
Sylvie Paillard
[email protected]
The group hired to collect oil-contaminated birds left town Monday (Aug. 21) following Canadian Wildlife Service's (CWS) refusal to permit the use of cannon nets. Focus Wildlife spokesperson Chris Battaglia said the group can do nothing without the proper tools, so they've resigned themselves to the decision CWS handed down on Friday (Aug. 18).
"It's just the way things are done here in Canada," said Battaglia. "I think the pieces were in place to succeed. But at the end of the day, you have to play within the rules whether you agree with it or not."
The CWS refused Focus a permit and the loan of cannon net equipment out of safety concerns, said CWS spokesperson Dave Smith."Let's put it this way: would you lend a stick of dynamite to someone who didn't know how to use it?" said Smith. "The rockets or the cannons are very heavy steel projectiles that are propelled with a black powder charge and if it's mishandled in any way the operation can result in injury or death to the operators, the crew the innocent public. And in addition birds are often, in this sort of operation, injured or killed just in the capture."
Battaglia said he's operated cannon nets in the past.
"I could've addressed the safety concerns," he said.
But Smith disagreed.
"The people that have requested to borrow this equipment haven't demonstrated to us that they have any training, certification, endorsement," he said. "Consequently we will not issue permits to someone to use equipment that's dangerous and puts the public at risk."
The limited tools at Focus Wildlife's disposal did allow them to capture seven live Canada Geese as well as one goose found dead in the field. One goose was euthanized when it was found with a broken hip, leaving six that were released at the Brennan Park soccer fields Monday (Aug. 21).
Of the approximately 350 geese thought to be in the area, approximately 100 were observed with oil stains. The CWS is comfortable leaving the contaminated birds alone since they appear to be doing well and would suffer from human interference, said Smith.
"They're feeding, they're socializing, they're flying and all indications are that these birds are on the road to recovery," he said. "It's questionable whether it's humane to constantly aggressively pursue these birds to try and capture them when what they need to do is feed to gain strength."
Local environmental consultants Cascade Environmental are keeping a close eye on the birds and reporting to the CWS daily, said Smith, and will do so "until such time as the whole thing is over with".
Cascade principle Mike Nelson said a monitoring program continues.
"We're going out twice a day doing a reconnaissance of the area. We're just going to capture birds that are obviously in distress and remove any birds that succumb to the oil," he said. "The modus operandi now is to remove oil from the biological ecosystems, from the animals, make sure it doesn't infect other animals, coyotes, [or] eagles scavenging for birds."
Nelson encouraged members of the public to contact the district hotline number to report distressed animals, especially if found away from the estuary.
"We might not be checking that particular area," he said.
Battaglia said that there has been "extreme" support from the community during the efforts to save the birds.
"Here you truly have a feeling like it's their birds, their estuary," he said. "They deeply, deeply care."
A monthly bird count group will also give CWS crucial information in assessing wildlife.
"There are 15 years' worth of surveys in the past," said Smith, "it'll be interesting to see how those are reflected in the future."
The District of Squamish is showcasing a public information exhibit regarding the Oil Spill. It will be located at the Adventure Centre starting August 30, 2006 and will display photos of the spill in chronological order up to present time. The exhibit will also highlight information about the Squamish Estuary and offer a Question "drop box" to encourage residents to write down questions, concerns or thoughts regarding the incident.
A member of Council or a District staff member will be on hand to answer any questions from the public Aug 30, 31 and Sept 1 from 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
