Catalina Conservancy Starts Killing 200 Deer After Judge Denies Bid to Halt 2,000-Animal Cull
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 2
Catalina Conservancy Starts Killing 200 Deer After Judge Denies Bid to Halt 2,000-Animal Cull
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 2
Summary
The Catalina Island Conservancy said it will begin killing the first 200 deer by the end of October after a Los Angeles County judge tentatively denied opponents’ request for a preliminary injunction.
The multiyear plan targets nearly all 2,000 deer on the 75-square-mile island, which the conservancy says is needed to restore native ecosystems and cut wildfire risk.
Scientists say the non-native mule deer have been stripping native, fire-resistant plants, leaving Catalina more vulnerable to catastrophic blazes.
The cull has drawn strong opposition from animal advocates, residents and hunters, who sued the conservancy and California to stop it; the judge’s final injunction ruling is expected within 90 days.