Sixth headless deer raises fears By John Daly
AFTER a recent three-week period where the headless carcasses of five deer were found around Killarney, another similarly disfigured animal raised further fears for the safety of the species. "The most recent deer carcass was again found with the head removed, but this time it was also found close to the other killings," said Damien Hannigan, secretary of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland.
The latest remains were found in the Ros- sacroo area.
Poached for possible sale to hotels and bars as trophy-wall ornaments, the recent spate of killings underlines a marked increase in this illegal trade.
"There have been similar killings of this kind over the years, but these recent incidents happening over such a short time-period do indicate that this kind of activity is certainly on the increase," Mr Hannigan said. "What is particularly worrying about this is the Red Deer is a unique and endangered species dating its existence right back to the Ice Age."
Red deer are the only deer species native to
Ireland but, as a result of deforestation and hunting in the 19th century, many popula- tions became extinct. At the turn of the cen- tury there were in excess of 1,500 Red Deer in Killarney, a figure that declined to 60 in the 1960s.
As a result of rigorous protection and man- agement by the National Park, the numbers have slowly returned to the hundreds.
"The Red deer is once again under threat, and our members in the WDAI have noted their absence from many traditional sanctu- aries around Killarney," said Mr Hannigan.
"Local people are appalled at this kind of criminal activity right on their doorstep, and particularly as the red stag in Kerry is seen as an emblem of the National Park and a very important tourist draw in itself."
The WDAI is encouraging continued vigi- lance by the public.
"The public are much energised to help in any way they can to eradicate this criminal activity," Mr Hannigan said.
http://www.examiner.ie
I Shoot and Fish E-Zine December 2011
13
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76