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Weeks after the 2018 moose cull ended in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Parks Canada provided information in a Cape Breton Post article which appeared on Jan. 14, 2019.

Rose Courage

There it stated that twig availability had increased to 95 per cent. Measurements taken at the North Mountain plot where the moose culls take place, and the French Mountain control plot where there is NO cull indicated that “... both areas have shown a statistically significant decrease in browsed twigs.” So, were 138 moose killed unnecessarily in culls?

Strategic Communications:

Parks Canada has stated that it actively seeks opportunities to share information. Yet, a communications plan which limits information sharing was developed after all the negativity from the 2014 news of a moose cull to take place in the park.

The communications plan now looks like this:

- Key talking points emphasize the forest and tree planting, and underplay moose killing.

- Sparse information in the form of information bulletins announce road closures and re-openings. In an email in November 2016, Parks Canada actually considered NOT sending out the information bulletin because “we hadn’t heard from media yet about the start date so we considered not sending out an information bulletin."

- Restricted zones during the cull prevent unauthorized individuals from stopping, with the possibility of law enforcement action if one does not comply.

- Anticipatory media questions and answers are constantly developed and approved by Ottawa.

- Website and social media provide sanitized information for the public.

Parks Canada documents show a decrease of public negativity from 48 per cent to seven per cent. The decrease, in my opinion, can be directly tied to their strategic communications approach which falls far short of their “... commitment to open and transparent communications.”

Incorrect Public Information:

The public can refer to the Parks Canada website to learn what is happening in their park, but what if that information is incorrect?

A clear example exists on the Cape Breton Highlands National Park webpage where it states: “In 2012, after the Hyperabundant Moose Management Plan was approved, Parks Canada ... entered into an Interim Arrangement ...”

The Interim Arrangement was first signed in May, 2012 and discusses hyperabundant wildlife management. However, it was signed more than three years BEFORE the management plan was approved on Nov. 3, 2015.

Cart Before the Horse:

In October 2014, the Cape Breton Highlands National Park was ready to start having moose killed on North Mountain. In a memo to the minister signed on Oct. 20, 2014 by the CEO of Parks Canada, the plan was to proceed ‘by lethal removal’ as early as December 2014:

- This was BEFORE a 2015 moose population survey was used to indicate that moose were seemingly hyperabundant in the park.

- BEFORE a required Basic Impact Analysis was approved on Oct. 30, 2015.

- BEFORE a Hyperabundant Moose Management Plan for North Mountain was approved on Nov. 3, 2015.

Park Wide Moose Reduction:

The Cape Breton Post article states: “... Parks Canada will spend the year analyzing the results of its pilot project ...”

Yet, a Cape Breton Highlands National Park document shows “2018-19 is a transition year ... to phase II.” Also, a February 2018 document shows “Next Phase ... Park-wide hypermoose mgmt. ...”

Park-wide moose reduction appears to have been a ‘next step’ in their minds long before the North Mountain ‘project’ even began.

Changing National Parks?

Parks Canada places much value on the visitor experience for those who come to our parks. Yet, what might it be like if hunting is allowed throughout the Cape Breton Highlands National Park? Would certain hiking trails be restricted at times, or some scenic lookoffs be off limits? Park visitors could be welcomed with restricted zone signs, as are currently posted during the moose cull, warning of possible law enforcement action if they stop their vehicle in a zone where shooting is taking place.

Perhaps the future park visitor experience will include a mandatory dress code of hunter orange vests and hats.

"Were 138 moose killed unnecessarily in culls?" — Rose Courage

My Thoughts:

The boreal forest in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, like nature, is ever changing and not something that can be retained at a certain stage, like a snapshot in time.

Nature has always controlled animal populations. Cape Breton Highlands National Park graphs of moose density clearly show a decline from about 4.5 moose per sq. km. in 2004 to less than 2 per sq. km. in 2015 through natural process, without human interference.

If Parks Canada wants to interfere to recreate the pre-budworm landscape, more tree planting and fenced enclosures, and even relocation of park moose to another area should all be considered. A 2007 report states that the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources had reports in the past 25 years of sightings of moose swimming to and from Cape Breton and mainland Nova Scotia, making the issue of distinct DNA in the Cape Breton moose not significant.

There are better ways than killing. It is supposed to be a last resort but it appears to be the method of choice in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Rose Courage is a Sydney native and a retired Federal Public Service employee. She and her husband now operate a small seasonal craft shop in Victoria County.