Daniela Berson
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Biologists at the National Parks Service are removing deer from Rock Creek Park as part of a deer reduction program.

The program will run from the first week in December to the end of March.

National Parks Spokesperson Jenny Anzelmo Sarles said that deer are disrupting the park’s ecosystem.

“Over the last 20 years an overabundant population of deer has been eating all the vegetation before new vegetation can grow,” she explained.

Sarles also said that venison from the deer cull would be donated to local food banks and charities.

The cull is off-limits to regular hunters and will solely be performed by trained Parks Service employees.

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