Common goldfish threat to other species in lake
Sometimes it’s hard to fathom why people take certain actions. Case in point: last week I heard a story about a person who was spotted releasing an Eastern Grey Squirrel out at White Lake.
As a reminder, this squirrel species is native to central and eastern North America.
It was introduced to coastal B.C. in the early 1900s and in the last decade has made its way to the Southern Interior.
It is extremely invasive and detrimental to our natural areas, where it depletes populations of native squirrels through competition and disease, and displaces native birds of their nesting habitat, eating the birds’ eggs and nestlings.
Releasing this invader at White Lake Basin, an area of high biodiversity with many species and ecosystems at risk, was clearly not a wise move.
When approached, this individual stated that their spouse did not want the squirrel on their Kaleden property but they also didn’t want to kill the squirrel. Statements like this leave me lost for words.
Relocating an invasive species simply perpetuates the problem, it is not humane and it’s illegal.
I cannot understand how people do not recognize that moving an unwanted animal or plant to a new location, particularly an invasive species, is a bad idea. The same goes for releasing a pet into the wild. It is never the right thing to do.
Our society supports the “Don’t Let it Loose” campaign, which is recognized across much of North America.
As noted on the U.S. website, most pets released to the wild do not survive and many suffer before they die.
Pets are usually unable to find food or shelter in the wild and they are often an easy meal for another creature.
If it does manage to survive, your pet becomes an invasive species that native wildlife may not have the defenses to compete against. Invasive species cause harm to the environment and the economy.
The release of pets into the wild sadly happens more often that you’d think.
One of the most recent local examples was the discovery of gold fish in Yellow Lake on Highway 3A.
Gold fish have a wide-ranging diet, so they can compete with native fish species for food, and they are known to withstand a wide range of temperature and oxygen levels and reproduce rapidly.
They can also disturb the sediment when they feed, so this can increase the water turbidity and it can harm aquatic plants and the aquatic environment.
The Red-eared Slider, an introduced turtle, is another example of a pet that has been released in the South Okanagan.
Their presence in our local wetlands can damage native turtle and amphibian populations. So what is the solution? In the case of pets, it’s simple. If you have a pet you find you can no longer care for, you need to find it a new home – and never, ever release your pet to the wild.
If you are not able to place your pet with another caring owner, your best course is to contact an animal shelter, agency or even a pet store near you.
In the case of invasive animals, it’s not as simple, but relocation is not a good idea. Legal and moral issues must be considered before any action is taken. Consider contacting a professional pest control company.