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By Anne Lucey

Preliminary results of a scientific survey reveals the total number of deer in Killarney National Park is over 1400.
The survey, carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), was released on request and comes amid a recent campaign by the Killarney Advertiser to keep road users safe due to deer crowding onto lowland areas alongside busy roads and crossing onto the path of motorists.
The survey of deer in all areas of Killarney National Park took place in late 2018, and is currently being finalised.
It shows that almost two thirds - or just under 900 are native Killarney red deer - Ireland's largest mammal - more than was previously estimated.
However, the figures suggest that if spread across the 25,000 acres of park, mountain and lake - there are 18 deer for every 247 acres.

“Preliminary reported results indicate that the population density of red deer is in the region of 11.31 per square kilometre (c.. 896 red deer) and the density of Sika is in the region of 6.71 per square kilometre (c. 532 Sika deer),” the NPWS have revealed.
Although higher for the once almost extinct unique Killarney red deer, overall deer numbers for Killarney are similar to previous estimates.
Hundreds of red deer can be seen any day in the Demesne area alongside the national park and similar numbers are grazing on pasture land alongside the N71 at Muckross.

The Irish Deer Commission (IDC), which is made up of conservationists and hunters, dispute claims deer are involved in serious accidents - as claimed by local deer safety campaigners.
“Deer needs management and you can't have two and three hundred crowding into lowland areas,” Damien Hannigan IDC spokesman, said.

“Data released by An Garda Siochana to the Irish Deer Commission (IDC) show just over 100 road traffic accidents involving deer across the country were reported in 2018.”
He also disputes claims that there are too many deer. The IDC’s scientific advisor Dr Ruth Carden says herd number of 1,000 red deer is needed in Killarney to reduce the impact of low genetic diversity, Mr Hannigan said.
Old walls which once separated the road from the park woodland areas are no longer in place.
NPWS personnel concede deer are moving from the uplands onto lowland grazing areas in huge numbers.
Last year, 120 mostly red deer were culled by the NPWS. However, there are growing calls for a more severe cull as well as for fencing.
The NPWS concede the inherently mobile deer are involved in collisions, but say they have no plans to fence alongside public roads.
“Fencing thousands of hectares would not be viable, and would be an enormous task and ineffective, particularly against the smaller Sika, they said.
Improved signage and sight lines is recommended by the NPWS and they have been liaising with Kerry County Council.