Point Pelee National Park in Leamington is closed and set to re-open again on January 20 to allow for a deer cull.
Park Superintendent Karen Linauskas says the deer population is well over 100 — putting other park ecosystems, like forest and savannah, at risk.
She says the park is partnering with the Caldwell First Nation for the cull.
"They use all the meat, all the hides for their personal, community and ceremonial use," Linauskas tells BlackburnNews.com. "Nothing goes to waste."
Linauskas points to deer feeding on young trees as a major reason the park forest isn't in good shape.
"The forest is not regenerating at the level we need it to be which has an impact on the forest, but then in turn can impact the other plants and animals that rely on them," says Linauskas. "Deer love to eat young trees, particularly native species, so what they eat today has a huge impact on the forest of the future."
A healthy forest will have at least three seedlings per every square metre, but the park at Point Pelee has less than one seedling per square metre according to Linauskas.
She adds the ideal population of deer in the park is between 24 and 32, but doesn't expect to reach that figure with the cull this month.
The park is closed from today until January 19 to visitors and to some staff for safety purposes.
