In Longueuil, the appearance of several deer in Michel-Chartrand Park now shows signs of worrying decline. In this space deemed too small to accommodate so many deer, diseases and deficiencies could well get the better of several animals as soon as winter has brightened up.
The duty was able to observe deer in poor condition exhibiting erratic behavior. “It is certain that with the cold temperatures which should eventually arrive, this animal [que l’on peut observer sur la photo] will likely have difficulty surviving this winter,” considers Stéphane Lair, professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal.
Not only does the condition of this animal, in terms of its diet, appear deficient, but it could in fact suffer, like other animals from the herd of this ravaged woodland, from parasitic infections and the combined effects of various deficiencies. Massive hair loss would be an indicator of this.
“Although it is not possible to make a precise diagnosis based solely on a photograph, what we can say is that the animal in the photo has areas of alopecia (hair loss) on the flank and face. » The causes of this hair loss can be of nutritional origin, such as lack of fodder.
The lesions on the animal’s head also suggest that it could be infested by moths or affected by fungi, suggests Professor Lair, recognized as one of the best deer specialists in Quebec. However, to establish a formal diagnosis, animals exhibiting such symptoms at Michel-Chartrand Park would need to be examined closely.
The deer herd of this 2 km park2 has around 120 animals. These animals multiply all the more easily as predators are lacking in this limited green space planted in an urban environment. Experts agree that the space in question is capable of supporting at most around twenty deer. The natural regeneration of the woodland is now heavily jeopardized by these animals. The dangers for automobile traffic in the surrounding area have also increased tenfold.
Deer, as they are commonly wrongly called here, have been overpopulated for a long time at Michel-Chartrand Park. Their slaughter has been delayed several times, following legal disputes.
The Court of Appeal finally recognized this fall that the municipality of Longueuil could proceed with the slaughter of around a hundred animals. However, it would still take several months before the operation would be carried out by crossbowmen duly authorized and prepared for this purpose.