Muntjac Alert in Northern Ireland
Posted by: Loren Coleman on November 25th, 2009
The country of Northern Ireland has gone on a national “Muntjac Alert.” No, it’s not some band of terrorists who have invaded the country, but a bunch of wee hoofed animals that have been declared a menace.
According to the BBC News,
The sight of a small deer making its way through a Northern Ireland forest may conjure up childhood memories of Bambi.
However, according to the Environment Agency, the Muntjac deer is an invader to our shores which poses a potential threat to natural habitat and species.
It was revealed on Monday that there has been the first confirmed sighting of the deer in the wild in Northern Ireland.
A young male was spotted in County Down in June 2009. It was knocked down by a car in the Carrowdore area.
The agency believes Muntjac, which are originally from China, are such a menace it has asked for anyone who spots them to report it immediately.
According to the agency’s exclusion strategy and action plan for Muntjac deer, the recommended course of action is to eradicate them.
An agency statement said: “A Muntjac Deer Action Plan was prepared by NIEA some years ago which identifies a number of actions to be initiated if a wild population is discovered. This plan has now been activated in an attempt to halt the spread of the species.”
The agency has also said anyone who releases or allows the deer to escape into Northern Ireland faces prosecution under the the Wildlife Order (NI) 1985.
In addition to the County Down sighting there have also been several confirmed sightings of Muntjac in County Wicklow and more unconfirmed reports from several locations across Northern Ireland.
The Muntjac has become naturalised in England and Wales and is Britain’s smallest deer.
Unlike most deer, the Muntjac doesn’t live in herds, but is solitary or found in pairs.
According to the British Deer Society, Muntjac were brought from China to a park in Bedfordshire in the early 20th century.
They spread across the country after they escaped, or were deliberately released, from the park.
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Loren Coleman no longer writes for Cryptomundo. His archived posts remain here at Cryptomundo.
Let’s hope the IRA does not decide to pay them a “visit.”
The thing to do is look out for the little pointed hoof prints or dimples in grass, seen long before the animals are seen!
But….they make good eating and feed big cats!
Interesting creatures but look out for Irelands rare and unique plants, they like a nice orchid!