Judge orders cull of 2,500 mule deer introduced to Catalina Island in 1920s

Catalina Island’s mule deer, released in the late 1920s, now pose serious threats to local flora and contribute to increased wildfire risks. In response, conservation leaders have outlined a contentious strategy to significantly reduce the mule deer population. Following a legal challenge that was dismissed by a judge, the cull is set to commence, aimed at preserving the island’s natural environment and lowering fire hazards.