More than Half of Catalina Island's Residents Publicly Oppose Proposed Senseless Slaughter of Its Entire Deer Population
CATALINA ISLAND, Calif., Oct. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Catalina Island Conservancy has announced plans to slaughter all California mule deer (about 1000) on the island, primarily by sharpshooters in helicopters, pending permit approval from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), according to the Coalition Against the Slaughter of Catalina Deer. The deer have been an integral part of the 48,000-acre island's culture, history and economy for nearly one hundred years.
- The deer have been an integral part of the 48,000-acre island's culture, history and economy for nearly one hundred years.
- The Conservancy has previously made at least two failed attempts for a Depredation Permit from the CDFW to eradicate the island's deer, in 2012 and 2016.
- Robert Kröger, a Ph.D. restoration ecologist and executive director of Blood Origins, has analyzed publicly available scientific studies from Catalina Island to justify the eradication of its deer.
- The Coalition Against the Slaughter of Catalina Deer is a diverse, grass-roots group of concerned citizens spanning island residents, business owners, animal lovers, hunters, attorneys, visitors to the island and others who oppose the brutal eradication of California mule deer on Catalina Island and support humane management by responsible hunting.