As an immigrant from Glasgow, UK of 20-plus years, I have been all over Canada and I have to say that y’all don’t get it.
What you have here in B.C. is something so incredibly special. The nature you see everyday is a last window into what was a beautiful planet.
My first days in Canada were spent in amazing proximity to wildlife. I stayed for hours and watched the first chipmunk I ever saw eat from my hands.
I have seen deer, bears, cougars, raccoons and geese up close. This does not happen anywhere else I know, except on a “safari” to Africa to see enclosed animals.
I have been to Europe, saw the pretty window boxes, but never a deer walk confidently down the main street.
People who complain about deer, geese, etc. just do not have an understanding of the gift of being able to live close to and observe our animal companions, nor do they realize that we who do love our wildlife also have a say.
Put the geese cull to a public vote and see how people will respond. What makes our little island special is our ability to live with our animals.
To realize that you don’t plant tulips and get mad at the deer. To realize that whatever little overseas cute town or village with pristine streets are just stage backdrops.
They can’t get their creatures back into their lives and generations have passed and they no longer remember what it is like to see these diverse animals and enjoy their visual beauty.
I am a prime example, an animal lover who saw no wildlife for the first 20 years — it was so empty.
Do you remember the white, domestic geese in Qualicum Beach waterfront years ago, how they would all waddle down quacking and honking and drivers would stop and smile and wait for them to cross and smile at each other as we passed?
I miss that. Your kids will too if you let someone else do your thinking for you.
Eleanor NelsonQualicum Beach