UK: 50 - 60% of deer ‘should be culled’, experts claim
More deer 'should be culled' say experts - Credit: Kyle Moore
Experts are urging all-out war on deer, which could see close to a million animals being shot each year in the UK.
Culling on a massive scale is necessary just to keep the exploding deer population at its current level, they say.
The call to arms was made after new research showed that only by killing 50-60% of deer can their numbers be kept under reasonable control.
This is slaughter on a far greater scale than the 20-30% culling rates recommended before.
With total deer numbers estimated at about 1.5million, it could result in more than 750,000 animals being shot every year.
Deer are said to be having a devastating effect on woodland, damaging crops, causing road accidents and threatening a danger to public safety in urban areas.
Dr Paul Dolman, from the University of East Anglia, said shooting by trained and licensed hunters was the only practical way to keep their population in check.
Most Read
- 1 Suffolk woman stole thousands from football club and school
- 2 What time will the Red Arrows be flying over Suffolk this weekend?
- 3 Revealed: The most popular Suffolk fish and chip shop
- 4 Woman in hospital with life-threatening injuries after serious A143 crash
- 5 Is this tearoom near Ipswich one of Suffolk’s best-kept secrets?
- 6 14 players that Town could target for a creative spark
- 7 Two motorbikes stolen after break-in at Suffolk home
- 8 Plans for two drive-through takeaways in Suffolk town
- 9 'He's an amazing guy... a legend' - United keeper de Gea's praise for new Town coach Grant
- 10 Huge barn conversion with amazing field views goes up for rent
The Country Land and Business Association said it was in agreement that there should be “a more widespread cull to help prevent damage to woodland and create a market for venison”.