http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-sussex-43006793/ashdown-forest-deer-cull-necessary-to-save-lives
Controversy has just hit the tv screens of Sussex after the the BBC SEToday article concerning the culling of deer on the Ashdown Forest…
After having hunted lynx and the wolf to extinction, the fact is, that Man is now the top predator. I have some knowledge of this subject… On a large area of land neighbouring Ashdown Forest, in which I was involved in the course of my work, culling commenced some five years ago. The removal of selected deer including old and injured animals by experienced stalkers, has led to the remaining deer population now being in a healthier condition with them having more to eat. A second bonus has been that the woodland and flora are now starting to recover from decades of over-grazing – I have witnessed that with my own eyes.
Thirdly, this has locally reduced the numbers of deer involved in road traffic accidents. This came close to me several years ago when my wife narrowly escaped serious injury from involvement with a deer – within an urban 30mph speed limit area. This collision wrote-off her car.