Fairfax supervisors debate whether wildlife program should remain with police or move to Park Authority

Assistant Chief of Police Bob Blakely and county staff briefed the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11 about the county—s wildlife management program and the question of whether the unit should remain in the Fairfax County Police Department or be transferred to the Fairfax County Park Authority.

The presentation, prepared by the county wildlife biologist Dr. Edwards (who was not present because she was ill), described the scope of the program: deer population control carried out since 1997 using archery, managed shotgun hunts and sharpshooter operations on more than 100 properties; a Canada goose management program that uses egg oiling under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service registration; beaver coexistence and mitigation consultations; bat, bird and amphibian surveys done in partnership with the Park Authority and external conservation partners; and chronic wasting disease surveillance tied to the county—s deer management work. Blakely said the program—s work includes outreach to homeowners associations and coordination with state agencies on wildlife health issues such as chronic wasting disease, hemorrhagic…