Syracuse officials on Monday will begin culling deer at selected sites across the city for the next four months.
Mayor Ben Walsh said the program that's in its fourth season is a sensitive topic, but necessary to reduce the harm that the animals can cause to humans and plants.
"Specifically motor vehicle collisions, damage to our ecosystem," Walsh said, noting the risk of Lyme disease the animals carry.
"Tick-borne illness we know is a significant public health issue facing our community," Walsh said.
Lyme cases in the region have increased over the last several years. Walsh said deer removal will occur at pre-approved locations.
"Those sites are very specifically identified, either publicly-owned sites or privately-owned sites where we have the owner's permission with very specific safety criteria in place to make sure that it is done safely," Walsh said.
The city is partnering with Onondaga County and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help with the deer removal, which will last through March. According to a news release from the city, last year's season resulted in the removal of 92 deer and the collection of 2,373 pounds of venison during the same four-month period.
