Catalina Island Faces Tough Choice: Eradicate Mule Deer or Risk Ecological Collapse?

October 6, 2025 – Avalon, Santa Catalina IslandOn Santa Catalina Island, a pristine jewel off Southern California's coast, a contentious battle is unfolding over the future of its non-native mule deer population. The Catalina Island Conservancy (CIC), which manages 88% of the 76-square-mile island, has proposed eradicating an estimated 2,000 deer to protect the island's fragile ecosystem.

The plan, revised after fierce public backlash in 2024, has sparked heated debate, pitting ecological restoration against cultural and ethical concerns. As the CIC awaits approval from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, proponents of eradication and those fighting to save the deer are digging in, each with compelling arguments.

Why Eradicate the Mule Deer?

The CIC argues that the mule deer, introduced in the 1920s and 1930s for sport hunting, are wreaking havoc on Catalina's unique ecosystem. Without natural predators, the deer voraciously browse endemic flora like the Catalina ironwood and island oak, stunting regeneration and paving the way for invasive grasses that outcompete native plants. According to a 2022 study by California State University biologists, this overgrazing has degraded over 90% of the island's habitats, slashing plant diversity by up to 50% in heavily affected areas.

"The deer are driving rare species toward extinction," says Dr. Lauren Dennhardt, CIC's senior director of conservation. "We're losing the very biodiversity that makes Catalina special."Beyond vegetation loss, the deer exacerbate wildfire risks.

By spreading invasive grasses through their feces, they create dense, dry fuel loads that intensify fires like the 2007 blaze that scorched much of the island. Overbrowsing also triggers soil erosion on steep slopes, leading to landslides and sedimentation that harm coastal ecosystems and threaten native species like the Catalina Island fox. The CIC points to successful invasive species removals elsewhere-like goats and pigs from Catalina in the 1990s and 2000s-that restored native habitats, arguing that deer eradication could yield similar results.

Current management, which relies on limited recreational hunting removing about 200 deer annually, falls short of controlling the population's growth. Non-lethal alternatives, such as sterilization or relocation, are deemed impractical: fertility controls are slow and require ongoing intervention, while relocation risks high mortality and spreading disease to mainland herds. "Eradication, though tough, is the only feasible path to long-term restoration," Dennhardt says, noting that over 1,000 global island restoration projects have used similar strategies.

Mule Deer on Catalina Island have no natural predators

Why Save the Deer?

Opponents, including residents, animal welfare advocates, and hunters, argue that the deer are a cherished part of Catalina's identity and deserve protection. "These animals aren't just wildlife; they're part of our history and culture," says Lisa Bernfeld of the Coalition to Save Catalina Island Deer. Introduced nearly a century ago, the deer draw tourists who marvel at their presence along trails and provide a food source for some locals through regulated hunting. Critics question the CIC's motives, with some alleging the plan protects private interests like vineyards rather than addressing genuine ecological crises.

Animal welfare groups, such as In Defense of Animals, call the eradication plan "cruel and shortsighted," advocating for non-lethal solutions like expanded contraception or relocating deer to sanctuaries. "Killing 2,000 healthy animals is not conservation-it's destruction," says activist Sarah Kline. They argue that the ecological damage is overstated, pointing to gaps in the CIC's data, such as the lack of a recent, independent deer census. "We need transparency on the population and impact before rushing to slaughter," Kline adds. Hunters, too, oppose total eradication, favoring increased hunting quotas as a sustainable control method.

"Why wipe them out when we can manage the herd responsibly?" asks Mike Delgado, a local hunting guide. Critics also highlight the emotional toll: residents like Maria Alvarez, who grew up watching deer graze near Avalon, call them "gentle neighbors" and fear the island's charm will fade without them.

A Path Forward?

The CIC's initial 2023 proposal for aerial sharpshooting by professional marksmen was abandoned in May 2024 after petitions garnered over 17,000 signatures and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn voiced concerns. The revised plan emphasizes ground-based hunting and explores fertility controls, though experts caution these methods may not suffice. As the debate continues, both sides agree on one thing: Catalina's future hangs in the balance.

For the CIC, the deer represent a threat to a delicately balanced ecosystem, with parallels to successful eradications like South Georgia Island's rat removal, which restored seabird populations. For opponents, the deer are a living legacy worth saving through compromise. As the island awaits a final decision, the question remains: can Catalina preserve its natural heritage without sacrificing the animals that have roamed its hills for generations?