FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, January 23, 1998
CONTACT:
Peter Petersan, 301-585-2591, ppetersan@fund.org
FAIRFAX, Va. -- On Monday, January 26, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., members of The Fund for Animals and other concerned citizens, including a costumed "deer," will gather at the Fairfax County Government Building, 12011 Government Center Parkway. The protestors will rally against the county-sponsored deer hunts in two parks, which begin Monday at Riverbend Park.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently approved deer hunts at Riverbend Park and Upper Potomac Regional Park, as a perceived solution to the problem of deer/vehicle collisions. This is the first time hunting has ever been allowed in Fairfax County's parks.
"This deer hunt is simply a knee-jerk reaction to one traffic fatality that occurred in Fairfax County last year," says Peter Petersan, Outreach Coordinator for The Fund for Animals. "This eye-for-an-eye approach is not going to solve our deer problems. A tragedy may have been avoided if the County had used preventative measures such as roadside reflectors last year."
Petersan refers to the Strieter-Lite reflectors, which are installed along roads and highways to stop deer from entering roads when a car is approaching. The reflectors are currently being used in 17 states, and have reduced deer/vehicle collisions by more than 90 percent in some communities.
DIRECTIONS -- From D.C. or the Beltway: Take I-66 West. Exit 55B, Fairfax County Parkway North. Turn right on Fairlake Parkway East. At traffic light turn right on Monument Drive. Turn right on Government Center Parkway. Protest will be across the driveway from main entrance.
