By Angelica C. Gualpa
Catalina Island’s mule deer may get a stay of execution thanks to Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn (D-Long Beach, Catalina Island, San Pedro, Diamond Bar, Whittier, Cerritos, Downey, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hacienda Heights), who is putting their plight in the bureaucratic headlights.
Hahn announced yesterday her strong opposition to the Catalina Island Conservancy’s new proposal to eradicate the doe-eyed mammal population on Catalina Island.
The Conservancy recently applied for a Scientific Collection Permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife that would allow professional hunters to eliminate the deer over five years. According to the Conservancy, they pose a fire hazard.
However, Hahn said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, whose department has a fire station on Catalina Island, told her he believes the mule deer actually helps mitigate fire risks by consuming vegetation.
“I remain strongly opposed to the Catalina Island Conservancy’s new proposal to eliminate the island’s mule deer population. While I appreciate that they have abandoned the idea of aerial sharpshooting, this revised plan—to bring in professional hunters to systematically slaughter the deer over the next five years—still represents a drastic and inhumane approach that ignores the values of many Catalina residents and visitors.
These animals have been part of Catalina’s landscape for nearly a century, and the Conservancy should be attempting every possible alternative before resorting to their eradication. Options like expanded hunting seasons, relocation, or sterilization have not been fully pursued, and I believe those deserve real investment and consideration.
I will continue to advocate for solutions that protect Catalina’s fragile ecosystem without abandoning our responsibility to treat these animals humanely. I urge the Conservancy to work with state officials, local residents, and stakeholders to find a path forward that balances environmental protection with compassion.”
Hahn also sent a letter to California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton Bonham urging the department to reject the Conservancy’s application regarding this proposal.
“Catalina Island’s fragile ecosystem must be protected, but we also have a responsibility to treat wildlife humanely and to respect the deep public connection to these animals. I urge the Department of Fish and Wildlife to reject any proposal the Conservancy may make and work with them to ensure that any management strategy balances environmental preservation with compassion and public input,” Hahn wrote..
“Furthermore, a full evaluation of humane, science-based alternatives should be conducted before any eradication plan be allowed to proceed,” the letter concluded.
According to an NBC4 Los Angeles report from last year, over 2,000 mule deer are on Catalina Island. These deer and bison, pigs, and goats were initially brought to promote hunting tourism. Since then, the goats and pigs have been eradicated, leaving only the sterilized bison population and the deer.
Catalina Island is unincorporated Los Angeles County and, apart from the City of Avalon, falls directly under the governance of the Board of Supervisors. Last year, with Hahn’s leadership, the Board formally opposed the Conservancy’s previous application to eliminate the deer population.
