DEER HUNTING AT ROCK CREEK PARK IN WASHINGTON DC (LTR & EMAILS AVAILABLE--PLS WRITE)
Planeta Animal
To Whom It Concerns,
National Park Service (NPS) has hired sharpshooters to massacre deer at Rock Creek Park in Washington D.C. in a misguided attempt to reduce deer numbers in populated areas, even though numbers remain stable. Although this hunt is inherently cruel based on the premise alone, it is important to recognize it is based on erroneous information.
Please allow me to illustrate a few of these concerns.
First,
ecologically, populations will fluctuate according to conditions and
naturally-occurring food sources; it is the interference of humans that causes
imbalance. To blame and slaughter the deer for human encroachment is both
irresponsible and unjustified.
Second, killing deer artificially increases food supplies to the remaining deer, the consequence of which is increased reproduction and an ensuing greater deer population. In fact, studies have demonstrated that the continual cycle of seasonal hunting is responsible for a rebound, or larger herd populations, in subsequent years.
Third, this type of mass killing using such a brutal type of slaughter in such a central and visible location would certainly adversely affect both visitation and tourism; it would be financially detrimental to continue with such a cruel and unnecessary killing, and although I do not currently reside in Washington D.C., I would be unwilling to consider it, or nearby, as a potential vacation destination if this deer cull continues.
Fourth, the slaughtered animals won?t be the only victims as newborn fawns may be left to starve!
Please instead examine alternative, non-lethal options such as fencing, fertility control, and relocation according to established protocols when using these methods, which have all proven successful in curtailing deer populations.
I know your time is limited and I want to thank you for your
attention to this urgent matter;
I look forward to a positive resolution to this
situation.
Sincerely,
