We created the ‘too many’ deer problem; let’s coexist with animals
As long as money continues to be the primary metric, we will continue to live lives out of balance.
I was saddened to read that Acton plans to shoot and kill more deer. While I understand we have an overpopulation of deer, what is missing from the discussion about solutions is a deep reflection and ongoing conversation as a culture about how we got here and what the roots of the problem are.
I am reminded of Albert Einstein’s quote, “We cannot solve problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
The problem of “too many” deer arises from the human assumption that we owe no consideration to the animals, that they are ours to kill and harm as we wish — for convenience or financial gain.
We demonized and killed all the wolves. So here we are, trying to solve a problem caused by killing with more killing. We can’t kill our way into balance and peace. We also can’t rewind the clock to a time when wolves and cougars were abundant on this land. We can honestly admit our mistakes and pledge to do better.
What might it look like if we gave animals more consideration? Here is one recent example.
Several dozen trees were felled in the area around Hanscom to help with visibility for pilots. These trees were likely homes to animals, and they were cut down in the middle of a frigid winter. The problem could have been solved by topping the trees, but that was considered too expensive.
As long as money continues to be the primary metric, we will continue to live lives out of balance, leading to problems like “too many” deer, pandemics, and the incalculable toll of species loneliness.
We are meant to live in a larger community, an extended family of other earthlings. When we forget this, we harm ourselves, too.
Erin Sharaf
Old Bedford Road
