News Release
For immediate release
Ramblers'Association Scotland Chairman, Alison Mitchell, welcomed today's news that the Deer Commission for Scotland had taken emergency action to reduce red deer numbers on Glenfeshie Estate in the Cairngorms (1). She warned other estates to learn from this first example of the DCS using its emergency powers to protect the natural environment of the Cairngorms National Park.
Alison Mitchell said:
The DCS have demonstrated, through the use of a helicopter to airlift a team of trained stalkers into Glenfeshie, how deer herds causing damage to the environment can be rapidly reduced in size. This action to deal with an incursion of several hundred deer into an area where natural forest regeneration is taking place is excellent news. At long last it shows a new commitment by the government and its agencies to tackle the excessive numbers of deer that have been destroying the natural habitats of the Cairngorms for decades.
Looking to the future, Alison Mitchell said:
All estate owners in Scotland should take note. These techniques now being used by the DCS should be applied in many more areas where excessive deer numbers are present. Estates should cooperate with the DCS in using helicopters and trained teams of stalkers in the planned reduction of red deer numbers. Otherwise we expect to see the extensive use of these emergency powers on many other estates next winter.
Ends
Contact: Alison Mitchell or Dave Morris on Tel 01577 861222 M 07808 580 796
Notes to editors
1. The Deer Commission for Scotland are reported to have used a helicopter and team of seven trained stalkers to reduce a population of 400 red deer that were overwintering in Glenfeshie in an area famous for its ancient Caledonian pine forest.
