Judge Approves Culling of Catalina Island’s 2,000 Deer to Protect Native Flora

A legal barrier has been removed for the Catalina Island Conservancy to proceed with a plan to kill nearly the entire population of 2,000 mule deer, a decision that overrides significant local and tourist opposition.

The ruling by a judge this week allows the cull to move forward, ending a contentious debate over the island’s iconic wildlife. For decades, the deer have been a celebrated feature of Catalina, roaming freely near waterfronts and woodlands and often approaching visitors in downtown Avalon with little fear.

However, officials argue that the large deer population is responsible for devouring native shrubs, which has inadvertently allowed fast-igniting grasses to spread across the landscape. The conservancy contends that removing the deer is necessary to restore the native plant ecosystem and reduce wildfire risks.

The decision marks a dramatic shift for an island where human-deer interaction has been a central part of its identity for nearly a century. While locals and tourists have long cherished the sight of deer in populated areas, the new order ensures those encounters will soon cease.