‘Too many’ female, young Killarney red deer targeted in cull

A cull of the lowland herd of the unique Killarney red deer by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has come under fire.

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland claimed the cull targeted “too many” young female reds, amid reports severed heads had been spotted in a NPWS facility.

The association’s Damien Hannigan said the cull was threatening the genetic diversion of “Ireland’s last native red deer”.

He said too many deer had been culled in the one area.

Last weekend, he said, young deer had been left orphaned after their mothers were shot in a woodland cull near Killarney under the auspices of the NPWS.

The cull has been continuing for several weeks following a public outcry that red deer, as well as the introduced Sika, were out of control and involved in numerous road collisions.

However, the wild deer group made up of hunters, deer stalkers, and conservationists is concerned about the killing of native female red deer.

Six mature females and a newborn calf had been shot. Photographs show severed heads.

Many of the female red hinds were “heavily pregnant” and should not have been targeted, Mr Hannigan said. He said the cull should concentrate on the “old and infirm” animals.

He added: “The cull had been widely criticised by deer experts due to concerns over the lack of justification and the manner in which they were to be culled.

“Red deer in Kerry are our last remaining native deer herd and have continuously existed for over 6,000 years.”