In the US capital Washington, deer overpopulation threatens the future of parks such as Rock Creek Park which stretches across 1,754 acres, offering residents the opportunity to find refuge from the daily bustle. White-tailed deer have consumed native species essential to local biodiversity, and prevented seedlings from growing into the next generation of trees. In response to the threat, National Parks Service biologists now conduct annual deer culls.
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00:00 [Sounds of water and birds]
00:19 If this forest were perfectly healthy, we wouldn't be able to see this far.
00:23 There would be a lot more green in the way.
00:26 But right now we can see very clearly for quite a ways.
00:30 [Sounds of birds]
00:47 The deer that we do, that are killed, are processed professionally.
00:53 And the meat, the venison, is donated to local food pantries
00:57 to help families in this area who are in need.
01:02 But the main reason we do the deer management is for the forest
01:06 and all the animals that depend on it.
01:09 Especially with archery tackle, I mean.
01:13 [Sounds of deer being shot]
01:23 That's what we're focusing on is helping get the ecosystem back in balance
01:27 because we are the predator.
01:29 There are no predators here for deer in this area.
01:33 So if we don't do anything, who will?
01:36 [Sounds of wind]