A total of 392 deer were culled in Killarney National Park during 2025, representing a 37% increase on the previous year.

According to new figures from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the cull included 276 non-native sika deer and 116 native Killarney red deer.

The 2025 figures show a marked rise from 2024, when 286 deer were removed from the 10,000-hectare park.

The NPWS confirmed that the culling took place primarily during the official hunting season, with a specific focus on female deer to manage population growth.

The NPWS acknowledged an increase in deer numbers, citing restrictions on hunting during the Covid-19 pandemic as a contributing factor.

A spokesperson noted that deer populations are highly mobile and their home ranges are not constrained by land ownership or park boundaries.

Management of the population is currently being guided by a national strategy under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

This involves Deer Management Units, managed by Farm Relief Services (FRS), which appoint coordinators to liaise between farmers and hunters to target problem areas across the county.