THE CONTROL OF DEER

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19766, 2 November 1929, Page 11

THE CONTROL OF DEER

TO TBI EDtTOt 0» TO* P**SS Sir, —Your article oil the control of deer reminds me of a conversation I had with Captain Pitman, the Game Warden of Uganda, j nft before I left England. The difficulties of his job were just those which you mention. On the one hand he had to preserve the fauna, as the country would lose greatly in respect of beauty and interest, if they were exterminated. Oa the other hand, ho admitted that some species—he mentioned the wild elephants in particular —did a great deal of damage to crops, forests, and cultivation. His job was, la fact, very complicated, and many conflicting interests had to be balanced; at least he had to try to find the balance. Incidentally, he studied how to carry out the control policy humanely minimising the sufferings of the animals, when it was a question of reducing their numbers. That part of the business is, as you say truly, horrible at best. Is there a Game Warden, or some such authority, in this Dominiont If not, would it not be as well to have onef He would keep an expert eye on the whole business, and would check the exaggerations in reporting damage which your article refers to. He would indicate places suitable for wild life sanctuaries and Nature reserves; and would, in short, organise the whole business of preserving and controlling fauna on effectual and humane lines. He would cost something no doubt; but he would prevent losses of the kind your article alludes to. At any rate, some Governments find it is worth while having a Game Warden.—Yours, etc., H. NORTHCOTE. Bedcliffs, November Ist, 19C9.