Little deer, big menace
MSPs have backed an order to license the keeping of muntjac deer in Scotland. Muntjac (pictured below) are originally from Asia but have become an
‘invasive’ species in England andWales. They cause widespread damage to farming and the natural heritage, as well as being a major source of road accidents. They’ve even been branded ‘asbo bambis’ by some critics. There’s no known wild population in Scotland, but there are two collections
kept securely in deer parks in Fife. Under the new legislation, muntjac can only be kept with a licence that sets out the minimum standards for enclosures. The legislation also means that owners of captive muntjac will have to report
any escapes within 24 hours. SNH will have powers to enter onto land to control these animals if the owners cannot recapture or control them.
Goose management
Changes to Scotland’s goose management schemes are being considered with a view to making them more responsive to conservation needs. It follows a fundamental review suggesting that the current schemes have
been very successful in protecting and sustaining many important goose populations. However, the review also suggests that the help available is inconsistent. As a result, the Scottish Government are working with SNH and the National
Goose Management Review Group to target funds accordingly. The aim is to concentrate on protecting those species of higher conservation status, such as the Greenland white-fronted goose. The proposals would continue to allow farmers and crofters to organise the
control of geese locally, but will re-balance the focus of payments made under local goose management schemes. "It's encouraging that some populations of these birds are thriving thanks
to the goose management schemes, some of which were put in place over 10 years ago,” commented minister for environment and climate change Roseanna Cunningham. “This is the result of the collaborative effort to protect them.We have to build
on this success by concentrating our efforts on species that aren't doing so well. This will allow us to target the money available where it's needed most.”
www.snh.gov.uk 23
NEWS
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