Tens of thousands of deer at risk of starvation in Ontario

This winter is harsh enough to put the lives of tens of thousands of Ontario deer in jeopardy as cold weather and deep snow continue to linger, say experts. The snow remains extremely deep in areas north of Lake Huron.

Snow remains waist deep

The problem for the deer is largely the snow – which in parts of this area is 50-75 cm (19 to 39 inches) deep – and the energy they have to expend to get from the place where they sleep to the place where they forage for food, warns Mark Ryckman, a senior wildlife biologist with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

Think about that. Would you be able to survive in waist-deep snow?

Added to that, in a normal winter, a deer will lose 10-20% of its body weight because the foods they have access to during that part of the year are inadequate to sustain them.

“I wouldn’t doubt you could see a loss of anywhere between 40-50% of deer in some areas,” he said.

http://www.saultstar.com/2014/02/28/deer-in-danger-from-cold-weather-but-emerald-ash-borer-likely-not-significantly-affected-say-scientists

Thanks to Greg for this link

“This is truly a horrible, record-setting winter over the central part of the continent,” says Greg. “Here in southern Canada, along the border with the US, thousands, if not tens of thousands of deer are at risk of starvation because of the cold and deep snow. There has NOT been a winter thaw to either reduce the snow depth or establish a strong crust.”