Point Pelee National Park is closed for two weeks to reduce its deer population.
Parks Canada said the closure is part of a multi-year plan to improve the environmental health of the park, as high populations of white-tailed deer are a serious threat to forest and savannah health at Point Pelee National Park. The deer reduction can't be avoided if the park is to stay healthy, park officials said.
Park officials said the deer population has grown to three to four times higher than what can be sustained because of several mild winters with light snow cover, and a lack of natural predators such as wolves and bears. Overpopulation is a threat to the Carolinian forest because of over-grazing by the deer. Officials added that deer are also jeopardizing park efforts to restore the Lake Erie Sandspit Savannah, a globally rare ecosystem that supports 25 per cent of the species at risk in the park. The park is home to a number of at-risk species, including the red-headed woodpecker and the red mulberry tree.
Parks Canada said a healthy and balanced park will ideally support 24 to 32 deer, based on over 30 years of research and monitoring.
The park will remain closed until January 25.
Visitors are asked to contact pc.pelee.info.pc@canada.ca, call 519-322-2365 or visit www.pc.gc.ca/pelee for more information.