Another answer from DNR and my answer back
Nicole,
Thank you for clarifying your position. The targeted removal of beavers is being conducted for disease surveillance and should not be characterized as a cull. The intention of our efforts has never been population reduction of vector species, or broad spectrum elimination of animals in the vicinity of the attacks. Additional management actions are still deemed necessary and are intended to inform health professionals and park staff as they approach re-opening the affected areas.
Regards,
Joshua
My response:
For one, it is not needed to destroy animals for testing. Ontario only tests animals found deceased.
In 2016, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry took the humane, effective approach of putting out vaccine treats for Hamilton and Niagara's wildlife instead of culling.
An email response from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resourses sent to the petition creator dated May 7, 2020, states "All MNRF rabies tests are conducted on animals that were found dead, road killed, or euthanized because they were sick. Healthy animals are not tested for rabies by MNRF. MNRF no longer utilizes wildlife euthanasia as a method to control rabies. With the development and application of the ONRAB® oral rabies vaccine in 2006, Ontario now has the ability to use non-lethal, high density baiting to vaccinate wildlife populations. Our ministry continues to improve and review the rabies program through ongoing research into the effectiveness of Ontario's rabies testing and control measures. Our ministry will continue to work with partners to consider additional potential non-lethal rabies testing and control developments, should they become available."
We think that the current MNRF policy of no longer killing animals for rabies testing or rabies control, and using locally created oral vaccines for for preventing the disease, is an excellent and effective policy that can be copied in other jurisdictions.
What Maryland is doing absolutely is a cull. When chickens are destroyed to control or test for diseases, this is referred to as a cull. And the actions taken by the State of Maryland are absolutely a cull. A cull means to select and remove unwanted items, or to kill specific animals from a group to reduce population size or improve overall health.The word functions as both a verb and a noun across different contexts.Key Meanings and UsesAnimal Population Management: To selectively kill animals from a herd or wildlife population (such as deer or seals) to control overpopulation, prevent disease, or improve stock genetics.Selecting and Discarding: To pick out the best parts of a group or weed out inferior, damaged, or unwanted items (such as removing bruised fruit or trimming weak plants).Gathering Information: To collect or gather data, ideas, or items from multiple different sources.As a Noun: Refers to the act of removing these items, or an individual rejected specimen that is inferior to the rest.
Sincerely,
Nicole Corrado