The National Park Service plans to cull the white deer population of Washington's Rock Creek Park due to fears that they threaten vegetation and spill into surrounding areas. Their plans to shoot 157 deer this winter are currently on hold, pending a federal court case.
The Park Service's own data are not consistent with their claims of a population crisis. Their data show that the deer population in Rock Creek has remained stable over the past 10 years, and some areas actually show a lower density in recent years. The data also acknowledge sufficient vegetation in the area.
Even in the case of a population problem, there are more humane methods of controlling deer, including contraceptives and fertility control vaccines. Please sign the petition to convince the National Park Service not to kill the deer in Rock Creek Park!
To: National Park Service
We, the undersigned, are disturbed by your plans to shoot 157 white deer in Rock Creek Park due to concerns of overpopulation and threatened vegetation.
The Park Service's own data are not consistent with claims of a population crisis. The data show that the deer population in Rock Creek has remained stable over the past 10 years, and some areas actually show a lower density in recent years. The data also acknowledge sufficient vegetation in the area.
Even in the case of a population problem, there are more humane methods of controlling deer, including contraceptives and fertility control vaccines. Please end your plans to cull the deer in Rock Creek Park, and use more humane methods of population control. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
