Judge rules 2,000 Catalina Island deer can be killed to save native plant species

Catalina Island’s iconic mule deer, which have long been a beloved sight for residents and visitors alike, are set to be largely removed after a judge cleared the way for the island’s conservancy to cull the population. The move—aimed at reducing deer numbers from about 2,000—comes amid concerns that the animals overgraze native shrubs, allowing fast‑igniting grasses to spread and increase wildfire risk. While the decision has sparked fierce opposition from locals and tourists who cherish the deer, proponents argue that the cull is necessary to protect the island’s fragile ecosystem and reduce fire hazards. The controversy highlights the tension between wildlife conservation and environmental management on the popular island.

Cull of animals that eat native shrubs, causing spread of fast-igniting grasses, to go ahead despite fierce oppositionLocals and tourists have long fawned over Catalina Island’s mule deer population. For nearly a century, the ungulates have roamed the land’s waterfronts and woodlands, so comfortable around humans that it is not uncommon to spot deer roaming downtown Avalon.But that sight will soon disappear, after a judge this week paved the way for the island’s conservancy to kill nearly all the island’s 2,000 deer. Continue reading...