The Wild Deer Association of Ireland (WDAI) have stated that a fawn (an unborn deer) was discovered on a public pathway in Killarney National Park on St. Patrick’s Day, in addition to the offal (internal organs of deer/wastage). Since the unfortunate discovery, the remains have been professionally discarded from the National Park.
Killarney National Park has been continuously scrutinised for its mismanagement and the staff’s constant failure to implement required policies by the EU in the past.
However, Deer culling is a regular activity conducted with true conservation in mind and culling in all areas of Ireland, including Killarney National Park is carried out by trained wildlife staff and professionally trained culling experts. Deer culling has began early February with the intent to reduce Red Deer populations to improve genetic variation and improve the population structure of the deer populations in this park. The culling aims to remove 10% of the deer population for these reasons. The cull will end later this month when completed.
WDAI stated that the deer are being culled indiscriminately and the fact that this unborn fawn was discovered beside offal is a clear example of this statement. The WDAI is now seeking a comprehensive deer management plan for Killarney National Park to e implemented as soon as possible.
WDAI have agreed that Deer culling is necessary yet the approach to which this activity is carried out is said to be greatly criticised for being too concentrated and is having a largely negative effect on the deer population in the park.
Damian Hannigan, the National Secretary for the DWAI has given a statement:
“As a deer management organisation we are not opposed to the culling of deer within best practice guidelines and to reduce impacts deer cause to the Parks wider ecosystem and adjoining farmland however the dumping of offal in public areas demonstrates a level of disrespect and mismanagement of our national heritage.”
“Such dumping is also illegal and can create a bio security risk for other wildlife species and the general public. We have raised a number of concerns with National Parks and Wildlife and the Minister regarding the ongoing cull and this discovery vindicates those concerns.”