Management of Wild Ungulate Populations (in England in the 21st century)
Management of Wild Ungulate Populations (in England in the 21st century)
Introduction
1. This paper provides the background to a presentation given to the Independent Forestry Panel reviewing future management of Forests and Woodlands in England. The paper primarily focuses on the management of wild ungulate populations (deer and wild boar) in England, although for some issues, we feel that a GB or even UK wide approach may be more appropriate if politically viable.
Background
2. All species of deer are increasing in number and expanding their range in England (Ward, 2005; 2007. Putman and Ward, 2010). Fallow, roe and muntjac are now widespread, while red and sika are locally abundant. There are also limited and less significant increases in the range and number of Chinese Water deer. There is currently no obvious reason why the trend in increasing deer numbers and range expansion should not continue. Only two of these species (red and roe deer) may be considered native to the GB, but modern populations of these species in England and Wales almost certainly are not truly native having been either completely reintroduced or (where persistent) subject to genetic subsidy from introduction of non‑native stocks. Yet currently we make little distinction between the management of any of the individual species.
3. Wild boar from escaped captive stock established feral populations during the 1990s in Kent, East Sussex and Dorset (Goulding et al., 1998). Subsequent escapes and deliberate releases established further populations in Gloucestershire (Forest of Dean), Herefordshire and Devon (Defra, 2008). Escapes from captivity continue and combined with the species’ prodigious breeding and lack of natural predation, the potential for their spread into other English counties is considerable. To-date, the rate of spread has been slow due to hunting pressures (Defra, 2008). In the long-term, wild boar are expected to establish over large areas of England, but
Introduction
1. This paper provides the background to a presentation given to the Independent Forestry Panel reviewing future management of Forests and Woodlands in England. The paper primarily focuses on the management of wild ungulate populations (deer and wild boar) in England, although for some issues, we feel that a GB or even UK wide approach may be more appropriate if politically viable.
Background
2. All species of deer are increasing in number and expanding their range in England (Ward, 2005; 2007. Putman and Ward, 2010). Fallow, roe and muntjac are now widespread, while red and sika are locally abundant. There are also limited and less significant increases in the range and number of Chinese Water deer. There is currently no obvious reason why the trend in increasing deer numbers and range expansion should not continue. Only two of these species (red and roe deer) may be considered native to the GB, but modern populations of these species in England and Wales almost certainly are not truly native having been either completely reintroduced or (where persistent) subject to genetic subsidy from introduction of non‑native stocks. Yet currently we make little distinction between the management of any of the individual species.
3. Wild boar from escaped captive stock established feral populations during the 1990s in Kent, East Sussex and Dorset (Goulding et al., 1998). Subsequent escapes and deliberate releases established further populations in Gloucestershire (Forest of Dean), Herefordshire and Devon (Defra, 2008). Escapes from captivity continue and combined with the species’ prodigious breeding and lack of natural predation, the potential for their spread into other English counties is considerable. To-date, the rate of spread has been slow due to hunting pressures (Defra, 2008). In the long-term, wild boar are expected to establish over large areas of England, but
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