Animals threatened by snowmobiles

Hazardous to pedestrians walking on footpaths, and threatening to both wildlife and plant life; drivers of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles are not welcome at the Marguerite-d'Youville wildlife refuge. Their growing and disturbing presence is of grave concern to Héritage St-Bernard which manages the area and which is sounding the alarm.

"Not only is their presence illegal, but besides that they are not the least bit shy to circulate outside of the paths," said Dominic Gendron, co-ordinator for the protection and management of the territory. "They travel at high speeds which above all presents a great danger for people who are touring the site on foot. Also, by driving all over the place, they are destroying numerous plants, uprooting young trees and stressing out the animals who inhabit the island."

The discovery of a carcass of a young Virginia deer two weekends ago sent warning bells ringing and Héritage St-Bernard management lodged complaints with Chateauguay police.

"Some people unfortunately take pleasure in chasing the animals at high speeds," fumed Luc L'Écuyer, Heritage St-Bernard's director general. "We seriously believe this particular deer died because of undue stress, probably after having been chased. This must stop! This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable.

"For several species, including the Virginia deer, winter is the period where they are most vulnerable. They have only the necessary reserves to survive the cold season. To be chased by a snowmobile requires a huge expending of energy and creates an enormous amount of stress which can cause death," L'Écuyer explained.

From his house nearby, Robert Harrison daily sees snowmobiles transgressing onto the wildlife sanctuary. "They are there every day," he attests. "Sometimes they are in groups, sometimes individually. I find it very sad. They are causing lots of damage to nature in a protected zone." Harrison has regularly contacted Héritage St-Bernard to denounce offenders.



This problem is nothing new. Every winter, snowmobile aficionados benefit from the frozen Chateauguay River and Lake St. Louis to invade Ile St-Bernard.

"It's even worse this year," L'Écuyer reports. "We lack the means to prevent them from circulating in the refuge. Warning posters are not enough. So we are asking for co-operation from the public at large, and of snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle clubs."

Chateauguay police say they are treating this problem very seriously. They have asked for assistance from the Sûreté du Québec, which patrols the shores of the island. People are also being asked to please jot down the licence numbers of offending vehicles and to expose transgressors.

Delinquent snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle drivers are leaving themselves vulnerable to heavy fines. According to the law governing off-road vehicles, they can be fined anywhere from $100 to $200 for having circulated in footpaths where their use is not permitted, or from $250 to $500 for travelling in a private area without the owner's permission.

Moreover, the law governing the conservation of natural heritage prescribes fines ranging from $500 to $100,000 for anyone contravening activities permitted on a protected site, or for damaging or destroying the area. People who torment the animals are also targeted by these fines.


Reference:hebdos