Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
The over population of Sika deer in Killarney and many other parts of the county is leading to the destruction of crops and habitats and causing financial ruin for farmers, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae has stressed.
He said the higher number of Sika deer is also increasing the risk of spreading TB and Lyme disease and farmers and rural communities are very concerned.
“They are a constant threat on our roads and they are putting the safety of the many people travelling at risk as well as constantly damaging vehicles leading to serious injury and fatalities,” the Kerry TD pointed out.
He said it is time the Government acted in the interest of farmers and the protection and safety of people traveling the road network,” he stated.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of Killarney Tourism and Commerce last Friday, the National Parks and Wildlife Service regional manager for the southern division, Eamonn Meskell, that, at this stage, the Sika population currently in Killarney National Park nearly represents the most pure gene pool of Japanese Sika in the world.
He said the over population is a problem that is being handled and a great deal of work has been undertaken in terms of surveying the population of red deer and Sika deer in the park.
There is a need to determine where they are and the amount that needs to come out in each habitat and culling has to be undertaken on a density basis..
“It’s an ongoing situation that we’re handling,” Mr Meskell said.
KillarneyToday.com: Everyone reads it – ask anyone. Call 087-2229761 to advertise
