|
|
|
Fire Island National Seashore
Fire Island Deer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When Fire Island National Seashore was established more than forty years ago, the sighting of a deer was rare. Today, deer are commonly seen at many parts of the park. |
|
|
Photo by Diane Abell | Deer can be dangerous, especially during rut. |
|
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
A first-time visitor to Fire Island is probably thrilled to see the seemingly tame deer on the island. However, these deer are potentially dangerous wild animals, posing both health and safety risks for humans. The number of deer on some parts of Fire Island is believed to be at an unhealthy density, which also puts pressure on other animal and plant populations.
More than forty years of vegetation studies in Fire Island’s Sunken Forest reveal an alarming reduction in the number of herbaceous plants and small trees in the understory of this rare maritime forest. Some scientists are concerned that the century-old American holly, sassafras, black cherry, black gum and other trees may not be able to regenerate. The lack of establishment of new seedlings coincides with the implementation of wildlife protection policies on Fire Island in the 1970s.
In 1974, Fire Island’s deer herd was estimated at 50 individuals; by 1989, it was close to 500, and in 2003 it was estimated to be 500-700. From population density studies conducted over the past seven years, it is estimated that 300-500 deer now live on Fire Island.
|
Average deer density varies widely between locations.
2002 Estimates:
- Robert Moses State Park
18 deer/km2
- Lighthouse Tract
60 deer/km2
- Kismet-Lonelyville
44 deer/km2
- Ocean Bay Park/Seaview
65 deer/km2
- Fire Island Pines
75 deer/km2
- Davis Park
68 deer/km2
- Fire Island Wilderness
30 deer/km2
|
|
Deer prefer to eat succulent ornamental plants, and their population density has grown quite large where abundant food and shelter is available in communities. |
|
Since 1993, the National Park Service has conducted a research project cooperatively with university scientists from SUNY Syracuse, the Humane Society of the United States (), and several communities to determine whether an immunocontraceptive vaccine can be useful at Fire Island as a deer management tool. In September, bait stations are set up to lure deer into appropriate areas. Female deer are darted with PZP (porcine zona pellucida), which prevents does from becoming pregnant.
In February 2006, in order to study the efficacy of administering PZP at alternate times, Fire Island National Seashore and HSUS initiated a winter deer-darting operation throughout the mid-island communities of Corneille Estates to Sailors Haven. In September 2006, darting was again conducted in the western communities. A winter darting program was conducted again in 2007.
During winter 2006, a total of 75 vaccines were successfully administered during a four-week effort. For winter 2007, a total of 72 PZP vaccines were successfully administered during a five-week effort.
The National Park Service continues to gather data necessary for the possible development of a deer management plan.
|
|
Where unnaturally large populations of deer are able to thrive, even native plants are showing signs of distress. |
|
Whenever possible, natural processes are relied upon to maintain native plant and animal species and influence natural fluctuations in populations of these species. The National Park Service may intervene when certain criteria are met. (, , Section 4.4.2)
Fire Island National Seashore’s objective is to determine what management actions are needed in order to keep the deer population within a range that will not significantly impact natural populations of vegetation within the boundaries of the park.
Fire Island National Seashore is also one of the parks in NPS Northeast Region that is currently hosting a research project relating to human-wildlife interactions. Cornell University's web page provides updates as this study progresses.
|
|
Deer easily overturn garbage containers and spread litter, which attracts rats and other rodents that may transmit diseases to people. |
|
The National Park Service is concerned about the health, safety and welfare of both animals and people.
The long-standing tradition of feeding deer by people on Fire Island is not in the animals' best interest. Deer behavior and population dynamics—and possibly their susceptibility to chronic wasting disease (CWD)—are adversely affected by deer being fed by humans.
As a primary host for adult ticks, deer play an indirect role in the transmission of to people.
|
|
Please help keep our Fire Island wildlife wild—Never Feed Deer. |
|
For More Information
You may check the 2002 brochure "Deer and People" and recent Fire Island National Seashore science conference abstracts for more information:
NPS Technical Reports:
- H. B. Underwood's complete document White-tailed Deer Ecology and Management on Fire Island National Seashore (Fire Island National Seashore Science Synthesis Paper), Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR—2005/022, National Park Service. Boston, MA, September 2005, is available as a pdf document (35 pages).
- by H. Brian Underwood, Frank D. Verret and James P. Fischer, Technical Report NPS/NESO-RNR/NRTR/98-4, National Park Service, MA, June 1998 (62 pages).
Cornell University's Deer, People, and Parks reports:
- by William F. Siemer, Kirsten M. Leong, Daniel J. Decker and Karlene K. Smith, HDRU Series No. 07-8, Human Dimensions Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University,
December 2007 (70 pages)
- by Kirsten M. Leong and Daniel J. Decker, HDRU Series No. 07-1, Human Dimensions Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University,
February 2007 (39 pages)
For the safety of your , the park's resources, and other visitors, you must keep your pet on a leash and under control. Leashes must be six feet in length or less, which decreases the chance of a dangerous encounter with wildlife.
|
|
|
|
Science Synthesis Papers Published in 2005, these reports provide data that may be used in development of the park's new GMP. more... | | Science in the National Parks Learn more about the science-based programs in the Northeast Region of the National Park Service. more... | | Ecological Studies of the Sunken Forest 1976 NPS publication provides valuable background data on significant Fire Island natural resources. more... | | Biennial Science & Resource Management Conference Sponsored by the park, this program provides a public glimpse into current research and planning. more... | |
|
|
|
|