Photo by pablo.raw

Photo by pablo.raw

As part of a controversial plan to manage the deer population in Rock Creek Park, the National Park Service says 106 of the animals were shot “safely and without incident” between January and March 31. Or, to use their word, “removed.”

All suitable venison will be donated to the a D.C. food bank. “National Park Service resource management specialists, in coordination with United States Park Police and local law enforcement, worked closely with highly trained marksmen and biologists from the United States Department of Agriculture to ensure public safety, which was the operation’s highest priority,” a release states.

The goal of the program is to reduce the number of deer per square mile from 70 to between 15 and 20. The killing will resume in late fall or winter of this year or early next year.

The plan has been condemned by the Washington Humane Society and local politicians, including Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Councilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8).