Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society continues deer research in Oak Bay 

Since 2016, the District of Oak Bay and the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society (UWSS) have partnered to implement a science-based urban deer management strategy for Oak Bay, with funding assistance and permit approvals from the Province of British Columbia. 

The District would like to thank he UWSS for the extensive contribution of volunteer work and expertise to the deer management project, ensuring that a humane approach is taken to reduce the impact of deer in Oak Bay. 

The UWSS’ work has been recognized on a global scale, most recently the team presented their research at an international conference on Wildlife Fertility Control in Colorado.  

In 2020, the UWSS observed a 58% reduction in the total relative fawn abundance the year after immuno-contraceptive (IC) was administered. As the project continues in 2022, the UWSS will focus on:  

• Evaluating Black-tailed deer habitat-use before and after implementation of immuno-contraceptive; 
• Quantifying changes to relative abundance of fawns following three years of immuno-contraceptive treatment; 
• Determining a precise deer population size estimate and model deer population change following three years of immuno-contraceptive treatment; 
• Continuing to develop an evidence-based, systematic, long-term urban deer management program; and 
• Providing a science-based standard for effective sub(urban) non-lethal wildlife population control. 

The District is appreciative of all the contributions and research undertaken by the UWSS to manage the Oak Bay deer population. For more information on the UWSS and their research, visit www.uwss.ca.  

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For media inquiries, please contact: 
Hayley Goodgrove 
Communications Specialist 
778-677-9589 
Hgoodgrove@oakbay.ca