The gates at Point Pelee National Park have reopened following the first phase of a seasonal deer cull.
Parks Canada and Caldwell First Nation conducted a deer cull at the park between November 24 and December 1. Point Pelee was reopened to the public on Saturday and has resumed its daily winter hours of 7 a.m. to dusk.
The deer reduction activity in the park is part of the Hyperabundant Deer Management Program, which includes ecosystem monitoring, deer population monitoring, species at risk protection, and reducing the white-tailed deer population to sustainable levels.
A high population of white-tailed deer is considered a serious threat to forest and savannah health, and an annual reduction will help ensure the long-term health of the park’s sensitive ecosystem.
The second phase of this season’s deer cull is slated to take place January 19-26, which will again close the park to visitors.