Point Pelee National Park will close for two weeks in the new year for a deer hunt.
Parks Canada said there is a lot of white deer in the park, and the high population is a threat to the sensitive forest and savannah ecosystems.
"Through over-browsing, the deer in the park are consuming and damaging native plants faster than they can regenerate, threatening the Carolinian Forest," said a release from Parks Canada.
The forest is home to a number of at-risk species including the Red Mulberry Tree, Eastern-wood peewee, and Eastern Foxsnake.
The deer are also jeopardizing efforts to restore the Lake Erie Sand Spit Savannah, which supports a full quarter of all at-risk species in the park.
The agency said the eco-system at Point Pelee can support between 24 and 32 deer, but with mild winters with just light snow cover, and a lack of natural predators, the population is now double that.
"Population reduction is reserved for situations of absolute necessity, and Parks Canada has been collaborating with the Caldwell First Nation for several years to actively manage the deer population," Parks Canada said.
