Summary
This project examined the interaction of roe deer with people in Scotland’s peri-urban environments, by bringing together a broad range of relevant information relating to the ecological and social driving forces that affect this interaction. This was undertaken through the conduct of substantial primary research and analysis of secondary data obtained through consultation with other stakeholding organisations.
The project focused upon the Central Scotland Forest Trust (CSFT) area (see map) and investigated the newly emergent issues relating to deer and their management as they move into peri-urban areas.
Enlarge map (107K)
The continuing expansion of urban areas, increased deer habitat formation (through projects such as the Forestry Commission’s ‘Woodlands In and Around Towns’), along with the increasing geographical distribution of deer is leading to increased interaction between people and deer - all in an environment where usual management methods may be more difficult to practice and less popular with communities.
The project engaged directly with local communities seeking information on their interactions with deer, and their preferences for management strategies. This included positive interactions such as the pleasure of a wildlife encounter and any negative points such as deer welfare, particularly following incidents where deer have been set upon by dogs and similar acts of cruelty, road traffic accidents, and the browsing of gardens, parks and cemeteries. We seeked engagement with local deer managers and asked them to comment upon our outputs.
Summary of research and findings (PDF-429K)
See also final report below.
Research objectives
- Establish the distribution and scale of the peri-urban roe deer population within the CFST area
- Increase knowledge of public attitudes to deer-human interactions within peri-urban areas
- Use thermal imaging techniques within two case study areas, Ravenscraig and Linlithgow to assess roe deer population density / distribution:
Photo by Jamie Cordery - Develop a ‘responsibility framework’ for deer management in these areas, which will help to identify appropriate stakeholder groups and preferred management policies.
Results and final report
The project gathered substantial data pertaining to the type, distribution and scale of interactions between deer and people in peri-urban Scotland. A broad range of both positive and negative interactions were identified, chief amongst these being the desire to see deer and share the local environment with them.
Our research clearly illustrates the need to shift from ‘deer management’ (focused exclusively upon controlling deer populations and impacts) towards ‘managing people-deer interactions’ more broadly. This should include strengthening local awareness and understanding of the range of benefits and costs associated with wild deer presence in the local environment, where this is needed.
The project’s Final Report includes a Decision Support Framework aimed at precisely this objective, and makes clear linkages between interactions, management responses and stakeholder roles and responsibilities.
Final report (PDF-3178K)
Funders and partners
The project was funded by the Deer Commission Scotland through the Scottish Government.
Status
The project started in November 2007 and ended May 2009. The Final Report was accepted by the customer July 2009.
Contact
Norman Dandy
Forest Research
Alice Holt Lodge
Farnham
Surrey GU10 4LH
Tel: 01420 22255
Email: norman.dandy@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
