As the cull of up to 100 mule deer in Kimberley continues, amidst protest, another problem has arisen. A person, or persons, have vandalized one clover trap and triggered others set in backyards around Kimberley.

City Councillor Darryl Oakley, the City's representative on the Urban Deer Committee, says that one trap has been damaged beyond repair and others are being triggered before they trap an animal.

"We need people to understand that they have to let this process run its course," he said. "Vandalizing traps is a chargeable offense. We are asking people to respect the process."

Meanwhile, Colleen Bailey, head of the Humane Treatment of Urban Wildlife Committee, which spoke to Council this week, says she feels frustrated by this behaviour.

"The Humane Treatment of Urban Wildlife Committee does not condone the vandalism of the clover traps taking place in Kimberley. We understand people's frustrations and concerns with the use of the clover traps. We also understand that there are many who are against this method of urban deer management and have felt their voices haven't been heard by decision makers.

"However, vandalizing the traps will damage any opposing voice's credibility within the entire community and with City Council. Rather than damaging the clover traps, we encourage any and all concerned citizens to contact our group at AnimalAdvocacy@shaw.ca We will provide information on how to positively assist in our movement to end this cull and to prevent any future inhumane management methods being sought by municipalities. Not only in Kimberley, but in every British Columbia municipality seeking wildlife management solutions."

Oakley says people have to look long term, to when the population of deer in Kimberley is at a sustainable level, where humans and deer can co-exist.

"I am asking people to look at where we want to go. We want a healthy and safe community and a population level that is healthy for animals as well. We had 35 animals injured last year. The population right now is not healthy. The reason is, it is simply too big a population of animals for the habitat.

"If the population is not reduced now, it will lead to greater numbers being reduced down the road. The habitat is over-browsed. Eventually, the animals will starve and get sick.

"We are trying to get the population to a level we can all live with, a level where they are not decimating people's yards and there is less of a chance for human wildlife conflict. Nobody is enjoying this process at all. It's very hard on everybody."

Oakley says he wants to the continue the conversation with the community. And the City has also approached the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to put a representative on their Urban Deer Committee.

He believes that would be a valuable addition to the conversation.

"If the BCSPCA says 'people of Kimberley, you need to stop feeding the deer', that's a strong voice. We want them on the committee. They have huge resources to help with education."

Feeding deer is a big part of the problem, Oakley says.

"When you see an animal in the winter, we need you to see triplets in the spring. The nutrition levels in the Kimberley deer are through the roof. They are getting high quality food. We have to stop feeding deer."

More information on urban deer in Kimberley is available at the City's website city.kimberley.bc.ca.

As of Thursday morning, 29 deer had been taken in Kimberley.