Officials close portion of West Kelowna nut farm due to aggressive deer with fawns

Officials have closed the orchard portion of the Gellatly Nut Farm in West Kelowna because of an aggressive deer with two fawns. The Regional District of Central Okanagan says in a release it was to give the deer some space, but acknowledged in an email it was aware the deer was behaving aggressively with a park visitor earlier today. It's not the first time. A dog was kicked to death by a deer in the park https://infotel.ca/newsitem/invasive-species-wreaking-havoc-and-death-in-west-kelowna-park/it101407 last November, amid numerous reports of aggressive deer. It's unclear if it's the same deer is responsible for the complaints.  While specific signs and gates went up today, the orchard section was been taped off long before. Dogs are never allowed in the orchard area, and have to be on leash while in the park. Anyone who goes into the orchard while it’s closed can be fined up to $2,000 under the regional parks bylaw, the regional district says. There are signs alerting park visitors to the closure as well as “Deer Alert” signs which include information about the best things to do when you encounter a deer. People can report wildlife human conflicts to the BC Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers and Polluters at 1-877-952-7277. To contact a reporter for this story, email Jesse Tomas mailto:jtomas@infonews.ca  or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .