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While we understand that wildlife has to be managed on small preserves, we don't like to hear that about 1,200 deer have been shot in the Richmond Park cull over the past six years to keep the population at 650. This year's cull, ending Thursday, will rid the park of about 237 deer, up from 168 who were put down in the name of population control in 2002.
Old and young alike are subject to the rifle, as well as animals with problems that could lead to birth defects for future generations of red and fallow fawns.
Not a fan of this Bambi story, Susan Kramer, Richmond Park MP, has called on the Royal Parks Agency to relocate the animals instead of shooting them. Sounds like a reasonable solution which could save a whole herd of these graceful animals, but the Parks Agency has so far rejected the idea, saying the deer can't be released into the wild and moving them would cause too much stress for the animals.
Maybe it's time they look into birth control?
Photo of deer in Richmond Park courtesy of chrispercival's Flickrstream.
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Frankly, I am surprised that Susan don't have better to do. Like improving access at local train stations (read my posts on the North Sheen Station footbridge) or proper cycle paths and more.
The cull is now bi-annual, one can indeed wonder why they need to shut the park at night twice 3 weeks to kill a few deers.
And also, why can't we buy some organic venison for all the trouble?
PS: the park is an old hunting ground, sorry for the people who love animals more than humans.
I don't understand! what's the problem? surely its better to cull a few deer than be overrun with them!