"Controversial Solution: Culling Deer to Rescue California Island"

The Catalina Island Conservancy, a nonprofit that owns 88 percent of Catalina Island, is proposing to shoot deer from helicopters in order to save the island's native plants and restore its habitat. The island's deer population, introduced for hunting and ranching purposes, has caused significant damage to the ecosystem, leading to soil erosion and the proliferation of flammable shrubs and grasses. While the conservancy believes this is the only viable solution, the plan has sparked outrage among residents and animal lovers who oppose the killing of deer. The conservancy is awaiting approval from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the project.