Dear friends and supporters,

 

Last Sunday, a deer was hit by a car on Coe Hill Dr. in Toronto's High Park neighbourhood. Some of you have called or emailed with concerns that Toronto Wildlife Centre did not attempt to help the injured deer. We were very upset by this situation and share your concerns. We'd like to explain what our involvement was in the events that took place and to let everyone know that we did all we could. 

 

TWC staff responded to the emergency situation within the first half hour. Hotline staff consulted with Toronto Police and Toronto Animal Services, who were on scene. We were told that the Toronto Zoo’s veterinarians had also been contacted. 

 

Based on information provided by the on-scene agencies, TWC medical staff assessed the situation and, given the gravity of the deer’s injuries (including severe head trauma and seizures), determined the only possible course of action was humane euthanasia. 

 

In order for a deer to be humanely euthanized by injection, controlled drugs must be used and, for that, a licensed veterinarian must be present. As you know, Toronto Wildlife Centre is a charity and, as such, has very limited resources. Generous donors allow the centre to have veterinarians in 3 or 4 days / week. Last Sunday, however, there was no vet on duty at TWC. We receive no government funding, which would allow us to have vets in every day. Other City of Toronto agencies such as Toronto Animals Services and the Toronto Zoo, who are better funded and have staff veterinarians available, are aware of our limited resources and normally handle situations where deer require humane euthanasia. 

 

On days where TWC has staff vets in, city-funded agencies often refer calls about deer rescue (where the animal is healthy but, for example, trapped) to TWC and we use our donation dollars to send out a rescue team, who help those animals return to freedom. 

 

It is our understanding that the only vets in the city trained in chemical immobilization of deer who were working this past Sunday were the vets at the Toronto Zoo, who were unavailable because they were in surgery. 

 

If euthanasia by injection is not possible, gunshot, if administered carefully and correctly, is considered an acceptable form of euthanasia by the Canadian Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians. It is still very unfortunate that this was the only option available to the Coe Hill Dr deer, especially as there was a prolonged period of time before action was taken. 

 

Toronto Police were understandably reluctant to euthanize the deer by gunshot in such a public venue, so TWC staff were on the phone for hours with the police and Toronto Animal Services as attempts were made to find a vet to administer euthanasia drugs. They were also fielding calls from a worried public. 

 

TWC Hotline staff tried to guide the police as much as they could but, unfortunately, our recommendation—the most humane solution—was taken far too late. Staff and volunteers at TWC were very upset that the deer had to suffer. 

 

This, however, illustrates a greater need; that of more resources to help the wild animals we share our city with. Situations like this should never have to happen. And although situations with adult deer are especially difficult, and still relatively uncommon, the deer population in Toronto is increasing so we can expect more situations like this unfortunate one to happen. 

 

Toronto Wildlife Centre is the only licensed wildlife rehabilitator in a metropolitan area that should have 10 wildlife centres. We do the best we can with the resources we have – stretching every dollar to the maximum by augmenting with donated supplies and many hard working volunteers who give generously of their time. TWC already helps thousands of wild animals each year that, without us, would have no one to help them; help that we can only provide with funding and support from the community. 

 

Despite how upsetting this situation was, it is heartening to know that so many people were concerned and I hope we can all continue to work together to improve conditions for wildlife in our communities.  

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Nathalie Karvonen

Executive Director