Deer on the loose in downtown Vancouver safely captured and relocated
There was a happy ending to Saturday’s unusual large wildlife incident in downtown Vancouver, when a deer was spotted in busy city streets and stopping traffic.
See also
- Deer spotted running through traffic in downtown Vancouver (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
- Black bear hit by SkyTrain on Friday dies of injuries
- Public trust in conservation officers eroding in wake of bear killings: group
- This interactive map shows you where bear sightings have been reported in BC
- Bears spotted running through PNE fairgrounds (VIDEO)
In an update, Lonnie Schoenthal with the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCOS) told Daily Hive today the young male deer was initially successfully corralled by the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) near the area of Water Street and Abbott Street in Gastown.
Schoenthal said he was able to reach the area quickly to tranquillize the buck and relocate it. There were no health issues with the animal.
Earlier in the day, he says, the VPD were advised of a sighting of a deer on Commercial Drive, which suggests the deer may have lost its bearings from Burnaby Mountain.
Young deer being cornered in a Gastown laneway in downtown Vancouver for its own safety. (Adam Moore / Daily Hive)
Young deer being cornered in a Gastown laneway in downtown Vancouver for its own safety. (Adam Moore / Daily Hive)
Deer and other large wildlife, including bears and cougars, are sighted in the city of Vancouver’s neighbourhoods from time to time, but usually in the eastern suburban neighbourhoods and rarely in the dense city core.
The last time a deer was seen in downtown, it caused quite a stir for months.
In the summer of 2015, a young deer was spotted by boaters swimming across the First Narrows between North Vancouver and Stanley Park, near the Lions Gate Bridge.
Following initial traffic-stopping sightings in downtown streets, the animal took up residence in Stanley Park for several months, until it was fatally struck by a vehicle on the causeway. At the time, BCOS said they made an effort to catch and relocate the animal, but they were ultimately unsuccessful.
@CKNW @TransLink @BC_SPCA Lost deer heading downtown through Chinatown. I hope she doesn’t get hit by a car. pic.twitter.com/ihoWM8x6ck
— siupowoman (@siupowoman) June 1, 2019
This deer just walked up Union Street in #Vancouver heading west toward Scienceworld. I need to drink my coffee earlier pic.twitter.com/ebaelt70IK
— ironnieg (@ironnieg) June 1, 2019
#Deer appears @Vancouver city is under control by Vancouver Police #Gastown pic.twitter.com/OvV1DRvKzi
— 凱洛兒 (@MissCcarol) June 1, 2019
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See also
- Deer spotted running through traffic in downtown Vancouver (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
- Black bear hit by SkyTrain on Friday dies of injuries
- Public trust in conservation officers eroding in wake of bear killings: group
- This interactive map shows you where bear sightings have been reported in BC
- Bears spotted running through PNE fairgrounds (VIDEO)