Title
Urban Deer Management
Presenter:
Julie Stiver, Wildlife Biologist, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Cody Wigner, District Wildlife Manager, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Body
Summary:
During the summer of 2017, representatives of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) approached City Council to discuss their concerns relating to the large populations of deer within the City and in the surrounding region. Consequences of such overpopulation include vehicle damage, injuries due to deer-vehicle collisions and (rarely) attacks ono people by aggressive animals; damage to public and private property from overgrazing, and animal diseases that result from hers that exceed the carrying capacity of the available area.
Councilmembers, City and Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) staff members have met for a number of months with representatives of CPW to explore the magnitude of the problem and potential solutions. Ms. Stiver and Mr. Wigner of CPW will discuss their concerns and explore possible solutions, including increased public education regarding illegal feeding of wildlife, various approaches to reducing the size of the local herd, and potential costs and benefits of those approaches.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Background:
The working group includes representatives of City Council, CSU, Planning & Community Development, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services, the Colorado Springs Police Department, Public Works, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and other local stakeholders. They have explored topics including establishing the actual herd size within City limits; various methods of deer population control (i.e. hunting, culling, relocation, birth control); the number and nature of vehicle/deer collisions based on Police and Public Works records; and approaches used by other local governments in Colorado and throughout the United States. The group also discussed the long-term results of deer culling operations on the grounds of the United States Air Force ...
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