Should we think again before giving in to a political call for deer cull?

BEFORE a trigger is pulled in the latest cull of native Red deer, in Killarney National Park, should the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) think again, asks Donal Hickey

While most people agree deer numbers, at lowland level especially, have risen in recent years, with trespass on farmland and road accidents being serious issues, a cull seems to be the easy and quick solution. It also looks like a response to political calls rather than an action based on scientific data and a headcount of deer.

The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) is pointing to vocal calls for culls of wildlife, from sea gulls to pine martens and deer, as a growing trend in the “verminisation” of native species.

IWT campaign officer Pádraic Fogarty says we are increasingly seeing culls as a default reaction when even minor conflicts arise between people and wild animals.

“Casual statements about deer being ‘out of control’, or ‘dramatically increasing in number’, are based on no evidence since deer have never been counted by the NPWS. Our wildlife is not vermin but rather an essential part of our heritage,” he states.

A recent study of red deer in Ireland found the genetic diversity of the population in Killarney is low, something that is an inherent threat to the survival of the species, Mr Fogarty claims.

The IWT, and the Wild Deer Association, are calling for a census before any decisions on population control are made. It is also suggested that, rather than shooting these deer, excess animals should be relocated to parts of Ireland where deer numbers are low in order to build a strong, national herd.

This was done in the past when a new herd was established in Connemara. Some deer were also sent to the late Charlie Haughey’s Blasket island of Innisvickillane, decades ago.

In the 1960s, Red deer numbers dropped dangerously in Killarney, with poaching being a key factor. Even though the deer have legal protection, poaching has again become an issue. It is estimated there are around 1,000 in the area, fairly evenly divided between Red deer, believed to have been in Killarney for at least 6,000 years, and the imported Sika deer.

The obvious priority is to conserve the Red deer and Killarney-based Senator Paul Coghlan is probably reflecting many people’s opinion when he says there should be no question of culling Red Deer and any shooting should be confined to the Sika.

“If there are too many Red deer in lowland areas, I would suggest they be suitably darted at an appropriate time and transported to much higher ground. I think it could be a need for husbandry rather than a cull,’’ he adds.

The plan, meanwhile, is to first kill off the weaker animals and use the venison to feed white-tailed eagles in the national park.