The controversy surrounding the restoration of a prairie ecosystem and the proposed killing of deer at the Florsheim Woods nature preserve in Lincolnshire has been brought to the attention of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) (Metro, Feb. 15). The HSUS is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, with 7.3 million members and constituents, nearly 223,000 of whom reside in Illinois.
The HSUS urges the Lincolnshire Village Board to abandon its plan to kill eight white-tailed deer at Florsheim Woods. The decision appears be based solely on the presumption that the deer will eat some of the endangered species of plants found on the site. Far too often the HSUS hears of plans to kill deer and other wildlife with little or no bona-fide study being conducted and without viable alternatives being examined. This seems to be one of those situations, particularly because we are talking about 48 acres of forest and only eight deer that are being targeted as potential villains.
Land development continues to be a factor in the loss of natural habitat for native wildlife, causing deer to be needlessly killed, or “culled,” in the name of conservation.
The HSUS has committed considerable resources to the development of immunocontraceptives (sterilization) for use in wildlife. We currently sponsor and/or conduct project studies at several sites across the country. These studies include deer, wild horses and zoo animals nationally and internationally.
Most conflicts between suburban sprawl and wildlife should be resolved by modification of human activities.
