Drive to protect urban deer from city peril

Airgun and dog attacks, as well as poaching are among the problems increasingly emerging as hundreds of roe deer populate urban areas.

In addition there are now about 10,000 road accidents a year involving deer, prompting the government to set out plans for new guidance to address increasing numbers

Jamie Hammond, Scottish Natural Heritage deer management officer, said: "They can attract unwanted attention from those people who love seeing them, to those people who see them as a bit of fun or something that the dog can chase or one for the pot.

"There are localised hotspots where crime associated with deer is still an ongoing problem, such as bits of Strathclyde where we are doing a lot of work with the police. Nobody wants to see them suffer."

SNH has found about 200-300 roe deer living in the north-east of Glasgow on nights when thermal imaging work has been carried out.

There are about 350,000-400,000 red deer in Scotland while the numbers of roe deer - which are moving into cities - are less clear, but could be just as numerous.

Mr Hammond added: "It's not a bad thing that we've got all these deer here - it's a good thing.

"People don't have to go up to the north of Scotland to see deer - they can see them on the way to work in Glasgow or Edinburgh."

The Deer Code, drafted by SNH, says the animals play a significant role in supporting jobs in rural areas but notes that deer management in some places can have a negative impact on the interests of "society at large."

Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson was in Glasgow's Easterhouse district yesterday, to discuss the guidance,

Mr Stevenson said: "Deer management is traditionally seen as something which affects Highland Scotland. But this is changing and roe deer are now an increasingly common sight in urban areas, which is why this is now an issue in Easterhouse and other towns and cities.

"This brings challenges in managing the deer population, both to protect the deer and to prevent road accidents and damage to property or gardens."

In a foreword to the document, SNH chairman Andrew Thin wrote: "As our countryside and urban areas change, deer have migrated into new areas and are increasing in numbers around our towns and cities.

"This spread poses new challenge and opportunities.

"Deer are the largest animal people are likely to see in their own backyard and offer a great opportunity for environmental education and to encourage people to get out to see and enjoy deer. There is a growing concern, however, about the impact of deer on road safety. Deer are known to be a factor in a growing number of traffic accidents."The heritage body is working with Strathclyde Police's wildlife crime unit and Glasgow City Council to ensure deer are managed in a way that minimises the impact on their human neighbours. SNH said the code sets out the basic rules to help land managers understand their responsibilities.