NPS Shooting Deer Statement.docx -

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Julian Goldstein, (202) 239-9282 Community Liaison National Park Service Must Reconsider Shooting Deer Press Statement Washington, DC— Against the wishes of DC elected officials and leading activist groups, the National Park Service (NPS) is moving forward with the decision to shoot deer to combat overpopulation. In 2021, US Representative Oye Owolewa (DC), Ward 3 Council member Mary Cheh, Ward 7 Council member Vince Gray, ANC 8C Chairman Salim Adofo, ANC 7B06 Commissioner Kelvin Brown and DC Voters for Animals provided separate statements supporting alternative and more humane methods to manage wildlife such as contraceptives. Shooting wild deer is not only wasteful, but it contradicts the District’s mission to end gun violence. Evidence suggests sterilization, in the long run, is just as efficient and proves less costly. It should be noted that the bodies of killed deer will not be consumed and subsequently be trashed as garbage. This plan hurts our environment by causing unnecessary hardship and runs contrary to DC culture and values. Rep. Oye affirms, “The National Park Service must reconsider their plan to randomly kill deer when humane alternatives exist to address overpopulation. Our hope is that the rest of the District will unify and join the elected officials, activist groups and others who have stepped up to demand better. As a governmental agency, the National Park Service is directly funded by our tax dollars. Taxes we are forced to pay without congressional representation. With that said, we have our voice and we will continue to use it until NPS changes course and prioritizes our message. This is not just about animal rights— it is about environmental justice, and us as DC residents having a say on what happens in our communities.” Representative Owolewa and DC Voters for Animals plan to launch an initiative focused on raising awareness on this issue and amplifying the voices of DC residents who want deer overpopulation handled in a humane way. Our goal is for NPS to show more transparency and have open dialogue with the community regarding the most appropriate methods to maintain animal population. ### Released Date: May 13, 2022