Inbreeding threat to future of Killarney red deer
The results of a four-year study by Ruth Carden found there are just 500 Killarney Reds in the 10,000 hectare national park.
Dr Carden told a gathering of deer enthusiasts in Killarney that the herd is of cultural as well as scientific importance.
“Killarney deer are true Irish, but they are not native. Native species have no assistance from humans when they arrive. The Kerry reds were deliberately introduced by Neolithic man,” said Dr Carden, a research associate of the National Museum of Ireland.
She said studies have shown there has been a decline in the overall size of the deer. The modern adult red stag can weigh up to 200kg. Body weight is related to food, and ancient deer were much better fed but were pushed to the uplands with the expansion of humans, she said.
Dr Carden said every effort should be made to protect the genetic heritage of the Killarney herd, and it was worthy of special protection.
There were serious threats to the herd, including potential inbreeding, as well as the possibility that the reds and sika deer introduced in 1865 to Killarney could “hybridise”.
Red deer and sika introduced to Wicklow shortly before they came to Killarney were mating. So far this had not occurred in Killarney, but there was a risk.
“We actually don’t know why hybridisation kicks off,” she said. “It’s a great worry.”
Inbreeding due to low herd numbers was also a real threat.
“The numbers should be kept between 600 and 1,000 deer,” she said. This would require a new deer management plan by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, to ensure a balance between the deer and land use.
A herd of Killarney red deer introduced to Inishvickillane by ex-taoiseach Charles Haughey in the 1990s was also likely to be of great importance, she added.
