Home / Environment / Red Deer Invade Scottish Village: Culls Urged
Red Deer Invade Scottish Village: Culls Urged
26 Jun
Summary
- Red deer roam Scottish village streets, causing danger and nuisance.
- Councillor calls for culls and habitat management to control deer.
- Deer collisions have caused significant vehicle damage and anxiety.
Red deer, once a charming sight for visitors, are now considered a dangerous nuisance by residents in the Highland village of Helmsdale. Numbers have increased, leading to concerns about road safety and public health.
Local councillor Richard Gale has called for additional culls and measures like clearing gorse shelters to manage the growing deer population. He stressed the need to reduce their presence in the village while acknowledging their economic benefit.
The A9 trunk road near Helmsdale is a known 'hotspot' for deer collisions, with one resident recounting writing off two cars due to impacts with large deer. The animals also carry ticks, posing a risk of Lyme disease to humans, particularly children.
NatureScot, Scotland's nature body, is collaborating with the community to address these issues. Efforts include granting licenses for out-of-season and night shooting, using drones for population assessment, and working with Transport Scotland to reduce deer-vehicle collisions. Since autumn last year, 75 deer have been culled in Helmsdale as part of these ongoing efforts.
