Point Reyes Light - October 26, 2000
Deer count draws fire from residents
By Stephen Barrett
A plan to perform an aerial census of exotic deer in the Point Reyes National Seashore received a stern rebuke from several West Marin residents who urged advisory commissioners to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area on Saturday not to support a policy of intolerance.
A small herd of axis and fallow deer was introduced to the Point Reyes Peninsula from the San Francisco zoo between 1942 and 1954 by Dr. Millard Ottinger, who wanted the animals for hunting. Since then, the two species have spread from Pierce Point to Limantour Beach to the Olema Valley.
The advisory commission is expected to make a recommendation on the park’s proposal to count exotic deer at their January meeting, after the pubic comment period expires.
Between 1968 and 1994, Park Service rangers shot 1,388 axis deer and 1,873 fallow deer to limit the herds to about 350 animals each. However, the last census of exotic deer was taken over 20 years ago, and the Park Service lacks an accurate count of their numbers and any information about how they affect native black-tailed deer and tule elk populations, said park veterinarian Natalie Gates.
Growth in numbers
Fallow deer, a species native to Asia Minor, North Africa, and the Mediterranean, increased from 29 introduced animals to a herd of 523 by 1977, Gates said. Fallow deer have palmated antlers like a moose and a coat that varies from white to brown to black.
Axis deer, a species native to India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, increased from 8 animals to a herd of 461 in 1976, Gates said. Axis deer have a brown-and-white spotted coat, and have been spotted grazing everywhere from the Olema Valley to the Nicasio Reservoir.
Gates recommended taking a count by helicopter later this year and again early next year. The winter dates have been selected because the deer will be more visible on the ground, and the endangered northern spotted owl will not be nesting in the park’s wilderness areas at the time. The helicopters will avoid low altitude flights over ranches, towns, and campsites, she added.
Counting and killing
But some West Marin residents argued on Saturday that taking a such a census is just the first step towards isolating – and eventually eliminating – the exotic deer from the Point Reyes National Seashore.
Photographer Ilka Hartmann of Bolinas said the practice of classifying species as exotic and native, and assigning relative values to them, is the same logic the Nazis used to justify the Holocaust.
Hartmann, who was born in post-Nazi Germany, told advisory commissioners that the same logic could be applied to everyone in the room. "If you decide to kill these animals, then the logical conclusion is that all of you – all of us with European descent – should leave this country and return the land to the Native Americans," she said.
Herbalist Eden Clearbrook of Point Reyes Station suggested the Park Service balance its scientific and analytical practices with a spiritual appreciation of the land and its creatures. On her forays into the park, she said, she has often happened upon fallow deer resting under medicinal trees and been charmed by their "dignity and grace."
Magic and beauty
Clearbrook said, "Some of the most magical experiences I’ve had are with the fallow deer."
Health practitioner Eleanor Lyman of Bolinas reminded commissioners that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the exotic deer are very much beloved. For her part, she said, "I think exotic is beautiful."
John Dell’Osso, the National Seashore’s chief of interpretation, said Tuesday that concerns about the exotic deer’s fate is premature. The Park Service is going to use the census to obtain a better understanding of the animals’ numbers, he said, and to develop a long-term management plan that will be subject to public scrutiny.
"The only thing we’re trying to do with this fly-over census is to get scientific information," he said. "We haven’t discussed taking any actions, and if we do it will go through a complete public review."