Roe deer: the animals face death as a new tree development in Aberdeen takes priority
Animal rights campaigners are calling on councillors in Aberdeen to end plans for a deer cull in the city.
The second phase of the local authority's 'Tree for Every Citizen' scheme is about to begin at Tullos Hill, home to a large number of roe deer. And the council is considering killing the animals to stop them eating the young trees.
On March 1 Aberdeen City Council will meet to discuss the issue and make a decision.
Animal welfare groups and others across the country are voicing their opposition to the cull as they believe that a decision to proceed with it would not only be unethical and barbaric, but would be ineffective. However after consultations with Scottish Natural Heritage it believes a cull is the best option.
Advocating taking this action, Director of Housing and Environment, Pete Leonard of Aberdeen City Council said: “The established normal practice is to cull the deer during the establishment period of the trees, during the first five years or so after planting.”
Mr Leonard’s department is proposing a cull primarily on the basis that it is the most cost effective method of managing deer, but the costs set out for alternatives in the proposal have not been finalised.
