BIOMETRICS & PARTRIDGES - NATIONAL GAMEBAG CENSUS |


20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0


1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010


Muntjac (Figure 5) The muntjac originates from south-east China and Taiwan. Originally introduced to Woburn Park, Bedfordshire, in 1894, further releases and escapes led to establishment in the wild. It is currently present across most of southern and eastern England, and recently colonised Wales. Based on returns from 226 sites, trends can be evaluated since 1983. They show an astonishing 15-fold increase to 2015, with little evidence of stabilisa- tion. The increase is in line with its on-going range expansion and increasing abundance.


Chinese water deer Chinese water deer originate from China and Korea; they were introduced to Woburn Park, Bedfordshire, in 1896 and Whipsnade Park in 1929-1930. Deliberate releases and escapes have resulted in the species becoming established in the wild in south-eastern Britain, with current strongholds in west Bedfordshire, the Cambridgeshire fens and the Norfolk Broads. The first NGC record of water deer was in 1993. It has since been reported from 19 sites, in Norfolk (9), Bedfordshire (4), Suffolk (2), Cambridgeshire (1), Buckinghamshire (1), Oxfordshire (1) and Hampshire (1).


Wild boar Wild boar were extirpated from the British Isles in medieval times. Imported for meat farming in the 1980s, escaped animals established themselves in the wild, with known hotspots in Kent, Dorset, Devon, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. The NGC received its first record of the species in 1994, with reports now from 15 sites, in Dorset (3), Grampian (3), Kent (2), Suffolk (2), Devon (1), North Yorkshire (1), Powys (1), Gwent (1) and Tayside (1).


Figure 5


Index of muntjac shot per km² on NGC sites across the UK, 1983-2015


Muntjac, introduced from China in 1894, have shown an astonishing 15-fold increase from 1983 to 2015. © Dave Kjaer


NATIONAL GAMEBAG CENSUS PARTICIPANTS


We are always seeking new participants in our National Gamebag Census. If you manage a shoot and do not already contrib- ute to our scheme, please contact Gillian Gooderham, the National Gamebag Census Co-ordinator, by telephone 01425 651019 or email ggooderham@gwct.org.uk


Wild boar were imported for meat farming in the 1980s and escaped animals are now established in the wild. © Dave Kjaer


www.gwct.org.uk


GAME & WILDLIFE REVIEW 2016 | 43


Bag index (1983=1)


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