A Los Angeles County judge has issued a tentative ruling that allows the Catalina Island Conservancy to proceed with plans to remove nearly all of the island’s estimated 2,000 mule deer, marking the beginning of a multiyear effort to restore native ecosystems and reduce wildfire risks. Following the ruling, the nonprofit organization announced it would begin culling approximately 200 deer between now and the end of October, with a final judicial ruling on a related injunction expected within 90 days.
Catalina Island, located off the coast of Los Angeles and covering roughly 75 square miles, is home to a unique ecosystem with numerous endemic species. Mule deer, however, are not native to the island. Introduced nearly a century ago as a game species, these deer have contributed to widespread degradation of native vegetation, particularly fire-resistant shrubs, which are being overtaken by highly flammable grasses. This shift in vegetation has increased the island’s vulnerability to severe wildfires, raising concerns among conservationists and scientists following recent devastating fires elsewhere in the region.
The Conservancy’s decision to move forward with the eradication plan has faced strong opposition from a diverse coalition including animal welfare advocates, local residents, and hunters. These groups have filed lawsuits to block the project, with critics arguing that eliminating the deer population entirely is an extreme and unnecessary measure. Janice Hahn, a Los Angeles County supervisor representing the island, expressed concern in a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, urging the withdrawal of the permit granted to the Conservancy by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Hahn emphasized the longstanding presence of the deer as part of the island's character and warned that their removal would be permanent.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife declined to comment on the matter.
The Conservancy acknowledges that eradication is a difficult course of action but contends it is necessary to protect the island’s overall ecological health and to mitigate fire danger. Past attempts at non-lethal methods, such as capturing and sterilizing deer or relocating them, are considered impractical. Officials caution that capture-related stress often proves fatal for relocated deer, and sterilization would require many years for the vegetation to recover fully.
The removal strategy has been adjusted in response to public backlash. Initial plans called for a rapid cull over seven weeks using sharpshooters from helicopters, but the revised approach will extend the timeline to at least five years, spreading out the reduction efforts. Early-stage actions involve testing use of bait and water stations to monitor deer movements, followed by targeted ground shooting with rifles.
The Conservancy also intends to permit limited hunting by residents from October through December, with harvested meat being donated to California condor conservation programs and tribal partners. Carcasses found near public areas will be promptly removed.
Future efforts will include nocturnal ground shooting utilizing thermal imaging, drones, and detection dogs to locate remaining animals. In the town of Avalon, home to about 3,300 residents, some deer will be sterilized and relocated rather than euthanized, in recognition of the community’s connection to the animals.
Pepe Barton, a Conservancy spokesperson, acknowledged the sensitivity surrounding the decision but emphasized the anticipated benefits. “We’re going to see an island in our lifetime that is more resilient against wildfire, more resilient against climate change,” he said.