Montreal Suburb Ends Deer Saga After Culling 105 Animals
Longueuil completes deer cull to restore ecological balance in park
Montreal, Canada, Longueuil, Deer Cull, Michel-Chartrand Park
Montreal: So, Longueuil has finally wrapped up its deer situation. They’ve declared the “end of the deer saga” after culling 105 white-tailed deer from Michel-Chartrand Park.
The city said this was necessary to bring back some balance to the park’s ecosystem. Apparently, the deer population had skyrocketed from just 32 in 2017 to 114 this year, while the park can really only handle about 15.
They started the cull back in October, and it wasn’t without its drama. There were years of back-and-forth with animal rights groups trying to save the deer. But the city felt it had to act.
Mayor Catherine Fournier mentioned they need a long-term plan to keep the deer numbers in check, so they won’t have to do this again. It’s a tough call, but they’re trying to do what’s best for the environment.
On a positive note, the city has donated nearly 13,000 portions of deer meat to a food bank. Plus, they’ve given antlers and hides to Indigenous communities for crafting. So, it’s not all bad news!