DuBreuil: It's cruel to relocate urban wildlife so far away
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Read about the recent unnecessary and inhumane relocation of a young bear in Ottawa, featured in the Ottawa Citizen.
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Here's What Others Had To Say:
Wildlife Practices Must Be Humane
"My family was pleased when, a year ago, Ottawa city councillors unanimously approved a modern wildlife strategy based on coexistence between humans and animals.
It was certainly overdue in that, a decade earlier after similar pressure from residents, the city undertook a wildlife strategy that promised a more harmonious relationship with all wildlife. However, it failed, as shown by the ongoing trapping of beavers, the killing of coyotes and the relocation of bears.
Ottawa, the nation’s capital, must finally put a progressive wildlife strategy in place. It is clear, city councillors must remain determined in insisting that staff make it this happen because it appears they haven’t got the message. I am angry and embarrassed that our city continues outdated and inhumane practices when it comes to wildlife.
Relocating a young bear several hundred kilometers from its own territory in this region is bad enough. Releasing it in an area selected by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, where its spring bear hunt is underway, is disgraceful.
This clarifies why the city shouldn’t be looking to the ministry for progressive or humane wildlife advice or direction."
- Kristiina Musson, Kanata
Ottawa Citizen, Letter to the Editor May 16, 2025
"My family was pleased when, a year ago, Ottawa city councillors unanimously approved a modern wildlife strategy based on coexistence between humans and animals.
It was certainly overdue in that, a decade earlier after similar pressure from residents, the city undertook a wildlife strategy that promised a more harmonious relationship with all wildlife. However, it failed, as shown by the ongoing trapping of beavers, the killing of coyotes and the relocation of bears.
Ottawa, the nation’s capital, must finally put a progressive wildlife strategy in place. It is clear, city councillors must remain determined in insisting that staff make it this happen because it appears they haven’t got the message. I am angry and embarrassed that our city continues outdated and inhumane practices when it comes to wildlife.
Relocating a young bear several hundred kilometers from its own territory in this region is bad enough. Releasing it in an area selected by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, where its spring bear hunt is underway, is disgraceful.
This clarifies why the city shouldn’t be looking to the ministry for progressive or humane wildlife advice or direction."
- Kristiina Musson, Kanata
Ottawa Citizen, Letter to the Editor May 16, 2025