By Charles M. Kelly
The proposal to eradicate Catalina Island’s mule deer population by having professional hunters shoot them from helicopters has been canceled.
The Catalina Island Conservancy will instead revise the eradication plan and move ahead with a ground hunting season, according to information posted on the Conservancy’s website that Wednesday evening. A statement posted on the Conservancy website confirmed the supervisor’s report.
“Catalina Island faces chronic threats of fire and ecological imbalance that have been exacerbated by the presence of non-native mule deer. While science speaks loudly to what must be done to ensure the safety of Catalina for future generations, the methodology to accomplish that is what has been at the center of discussion,” the Conservancy website said.
“Although experts have clearly stated that aerial hunting is the most humane method for removing mule deer in these situations, we understand and respect the concerns raised by residents and Supervisor Janice Hahn. In response to these concerns, we are revising our plan to prioritize alternative methods for deer removal. It will take time to revise the plan effectively. In the meantime, we will proceed with a ground hunting season,” the Conservancy website said.
The Coalition to Save Catalina Island Deer called this development a win.
“Last September, we learned that the Catalina Island Conservancy had begun implementation of a plan to remove an entire species of treasured wildlife from the Island,” wrote Melinda Benson, an attorney working with the Coalition.
“This plan involved the use of brutal methodologies that would have caused unimaginable suffering for these animals and for our Island community. The Conservancy hired lobbyists, crisis management teams, and public relations experts, but they didn’t bother to inform the community or invite honest dialogue or input. Instead, they seeded, planted, and carefully tended their ‘exclosure’ gardens and they told us that apples were oranges,” wrote Melinda Benson, an attorney working with the Coalition.
“In response, we formed an incredible coalition of diverse individuals and organizations who love the Island and its precious wildlife. For the past nine months, we have worked tirelessly together to fight this plan. We won,” she wrote.
“Let this success serve as a reminder of what can be accomplished when we work together, even when our opponents are powerful and resourced,” she wrote.
“We know that the Conservancy will not stop and be assured the Coalition is resolute in our commitment to see this through. Together with our incredible partners, and with the continued support of our community and all who love Catalina Island, we stand prepared and ready to face the challenges ahead to safeguard the future of our Island deer for generations to come,” she wrote.
Hahn’s office issued a press release announcing the reported cancelation of the deer eradication on Wednesday, May 29.
“Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is applauding an announcement by the Catalina Island Conservancy that they will cancel and rework plans to eradicate the island’s deer population by shooting them from helicopters, instead prioritizing other methodologies,” according to the statement.
In the Hahn Office statement, Lauren Dennhardt, the Conservancy’s senior director of Conservation, was quoted as saying the deer killing was called off during a meeting of the Los Angeles County Fish and Wildlife Commission.
“I appreciate the Conservancy for listening to the serious concerns people had about this plan, especially from people living on the island,” said Supervisor Hahn.
The deer eradication plan was part of the Conservancy’s larger restoration plan for the Island. The Conservancy has argued that the deer pose a threat to the Island’s ecosystem.
Opponents of the deer removal have argued against its necessity as well as against the originally proposed method of removing the deer population.
