Deer campaigners call for contraception rather than a cull at Richmond Park

Michael Clarke2 February 2016

They’re one of the most striking attractions at Richmond Park, but also one of the most contentious.

This month an estimated 70 to 90 Red and Fallow deer are expected to be killed as part of the cull which happens every six months.

Campaigners against it are calling for the introduction of deer contraceptives as a more humane way of keeping numbers under control.

Lesley Dove, who leads the activist group Stop the Deer Cull said: “This is cruel and unnecessary and also causes a huge amount of stress and terror to the surviving animals.

“It’s time to stop Richmond and Bushy Park being hunting parks.

“In the last few years, it’s quite exciting, there actually is a humane alternative to culling.

“It’s called GonaCon it’s an immunocontraceptive that can be injected, darted into the deer, it’s been used in the US on various mammal species.”

A deer looks out over Richmond Park as the biannual cull gets underway
Daniel Leal-Olivas / PA Wire/Press Association Images

More than 1,500 people have signed a petition calling for a stop to the cull of deer in The Royal Parks, but officials there say it's necessary for the future wellbeing of the animals.

A Royal Parks spokesperson said: “As a member of the British Deer Society, The Royal Parks takes deer welfare very seriously and all aspects of their welfare are monitored regularly.

“In addition both the society and the Deer Initiative of England and Wales fully endorse humane culling.

“The Royal Parks is an expert manager of enclosed deer herds, which are under veterinary supervision. Deer populations are actively managed to keep herds at a sustainable size.

“Without population control, food would become scarce and more animals would ultimately suffer. There would also be other welfare issues such as low body fat, malnutrition, high incidence of death from exposure to cold in winter and a build-up of parasites and diseases in deer.”

The cull is now underway and could take up to six weeks to complete.

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