Chronic grazing by white-tailed deer damages biodiversity and encourages the proliferation of invasive exotic plant species. The overabundance of deer is also conducive to the spread of ticks, which often carry Lyme disease. 

The risk of road collisions and property damage is also increased. 

The city based its decision on the advice of a technical and scientific committee of biologists and veterinarians, who recommended rapid response to reduce the size of the deer population. As a result, the herd has been reduced, with the operation now completed for autumn 2024.

Relocation of the animals was out of the question. This can cause serious injury and often ends in death. It also encourages the spread of disease.

Investing in research to improve our response 

The urban agglomeration council of Montréal contributes financially to the PARCS en Santé program. The aim is to generate the scientific knowledge required to implement and develop a sustainable response strategy meant to protect the biodiversity of nature parks, while also reducing the risk of tick-borne illnesses. 

One of the research components pertains to the study of the routes travelled by deer. The work will be carried out by qualified and experienced teams directed by the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP), in collaboration with university researchers and territorial managers.