Moose fencing to go up in Western Newfoundland

So today's Telegram informs us.  Fifteen kilometers of fencing will go up in the area adjacent to Gallants and Black Duck Siding.  In addition, a wildlife detection warning system will be installed on the TCH east of the Salmonier Line.

If the Government of Newfoundland had started on moose fencing and other mitigation projects 15 years ago, there would not be a class action today.  It would be interesting to know how many people in the class were injured in the two areas selected for mitigation.  I will have to look into this. 

In the meantime, Government has ignored Richard Cashin's call for a cull.  A cull is a significant drawdown of a wildlife population achieved over a relatively short period, and almost inevitably involves professional sharpshooters.  A cull cannot be achieved by increasing licenses to hunters alone.  The sharpshooters in question could be conservation officers or other professionals engaged for the purpose.

As lawyers for the class members we are now pulling together an estimate of what it would cost to settle the approximately 75 claims arising from admission to hospital after a moose vehicle collision.  We will submit this to lawyers for the government, so that the government knows the appropriate amount it is facing as a claim.  Between what we can do in the class action and what SOPAC can do in the public theatre, this issue is not going away.