Up to 250k extra deer to be culled every year to save Scotland’s woods and forests

The Scottish government has announced plans for significant annual deer culls in an effort to save the nation’s woods and forests. According to a new report, up to 250,000 additional deer will need to be culled each year until 2030 to address overgrazing issues caused by soaring deer populations. This increase of 25 to 30 percent in deer culls is part of a national initiative to combat nature loss by the end of the decade.

The plan outlines actions to restore habitats and species, with a focus on achieving optimal herbivore densities to support biodiversity outcomes. Scotland has seen a surge in wild deer populations in recent years, with around 1 million deer currently roaming the country, posing a threat to woodlands and forests due to overgrazing and lack of natural predators.

The government aims to reduce deer densities across landscapes, setting targets to achieve specific deer densities in priority woodland areas and key regions like the Cairngorms National Park. Additionally, there will be investments in woodland and peatland restoration projects to drive landscape regeneration.

Scotland, known as one of the most nature-depleted countries globally, aims to restore nature back to a healthy state and protect endangered species. The new Biodiversity Delivery Plan highlights the crucial role of partnerships between government, businesses, and individuals in safeguarding the natural environment for future generations.

Colin Galbraith, chair of NatureScot, emphasised the collective responsibility to care for nature and the need for sustained efforts to enhance resilience to climate change. Stakeholders have welcomed the plan’s commitments to species-specific work, large-scale restoration projects, and measures to reduce deer numbers sustainably.

While some have acknowledged the progress represented by the plan, concerns have been raised about the implementation of previous commitments from the government. The call for increased investment and strong leadership across governmental sectors has been echoed to achieve the ambitious goals outlined in the framework.

In conclusion, the Scottish government’s initiative to increase deer culls aligns with broader biodiversity conservation efforts to address the challenges posed by escalating deer populations. The plan underscores the urgency of protecting Scotland’s natural environment and highlights the importance of collaborative action to pave the way for a sustainable future.