W/O Natural Predators, UK Deer Preventing Forest Regrowth; Gov Will Now Support Culls By Landowners

[hatrack]

EDIT

Because there are no natural predators in England, deer breed quickly and without any population controls. Four non-native deer species – muntjac, Chinese water deer, fallow and sika – have been introduced into the wild and have thrived. Only two deer species in England, the red and roe, are native. Overpopulation of deer causes problems for woodland: they eat leaves, buds and sapling stalks, and strip bark from mature trees, which can affect the trees’ health and make them susceptible to disease. Some deer, particularly the sika, rake their antlers against trees, which can kill younger wood.

The government’s legally binding environment targets require it to regenerate woodland equivalent to a net increase of 43,000 hectares (106,255 acres), which will be difficult if the deer population continues to expand. Government figures show 33% of English woodlands are now in unfavourable condition due to the impact of deer, up from 24% in the early 2000s.

The government has mostly focused on protecting trees with guards and fences rather than tackling the deer population. Now, it is announcing a change of approach. Under the plans, all publicly owned or managed land will have deer management plans within 10 years. National priority areas – where deer are extremely populous and are having a very detrimental impact on woodland – will be identified, with culls targeted there.

There will also be a change to the grant system that pays landowners to shoot deer. Under the new scheme, landowners can be paid to shoot deer when the animals move out of wooded areas, making it easier to target a problematic population, said Emma Dear, the principal officer for tree establishment at Natural England.

EDIT

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/19/deer-shooting-rights-cull-legislation-england-woodlands

[Ocelot II]

1. There's some research going on about reintroducing the Eurasian lynx.

https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk/why-rewild/reintroductions-key-species/key-species/eurasian-lynx
https://www.missinglynxproject.org.uk/top-carnivores

Eurasian lynx are about the size of a Labrador retriever, larger than the Canada lynx, and big enough to take down deer.

[2naSalit]

2. A couple...

Packs of wolves would fix that naturally. Wolves regulate their pack growth so they don't outnumber their prey base. There are many studies showing this.

[NNadir]

3. The article describes NJ pretty much as well.

I never knew this but historically the Eastern Puma was native here but was systematically hunted to extinction.

Now the only predator for the deer is the automobile, supplemented by hunters.

My car was such a predator once, causing about $5000 worth of damage to my car.

The damage done to forests in New Jersey by deer is inescapable. They also attack suburban landscaping.

When my wife and I first moved into our house, we were charmed and excited to see a herd in our yard. After 30 years, we now regard them as giant rats.

[RockCreek]

4. So many beautiful forests there are destroyed.