Wildlife
With ‘tusks’ and small antlers, these tiny deer with a dog-like bark are adept garden ‘burglars’
At the scene of the crime the clues may not, at first, add up. Plants stripped of buds or leaves. Twigs ripped off to leave ragged wounds. Tree bark peeled away.
You’re unlikely to spot the culprit, but the chances are your garden has been visited by deer. This is happening across Britain, as deer numbers rise to record levels. In much of England and Wales the animal that’s making its presence felt is the garden-sized and elusive Reeves’ muntjac.
Rarely seen, the muntjac is brown, stocky and small; an adult is only around 40-50cm (16-20in) high at the shoulder. They like to live in woods and on wasteland, but do venture into towns and city suburbs. Often they move around alongside railway lines.
Muntjac are on the go around the clock, but are more active at night. They have a loud bark-like call, which will often be the give-away clue that tells you that they’ve moved into your area. And they’re moving into plenty of new areas, having first come to Britain to be part of the 11th Duke of Bedford’s private zoo at Woburn. They soon gained their freedom (in the 1890s) and have been marching onwards and outwards ever since. Unlike native deer, the muntjac breeds all year round – which makes for rapid population growth.
Usually, the glimpse of a deer, even for just a moment, is a magical experience. But the magic may fade if muntjac are making visits to your garden for a nightly snack.
So, what can be done? Chemical repellents are available, but will only protect a fairly limited area. People often recommend either human hair, lion dung or both at the same time. However, the evidence seems to suggest that they’re a waste of time.
Fencing is probably the only reliable solution. To keep muntjac out you need a fence that is at least 1.5m (5ft) tall.
If they can’t hop over a fence they’ll try digging their way underneath. So, to make the barrier 100 per cent reliable, bury chicken wire along the base.
Putting that sort of barrier around the whole garden is an expensive option. A more affordable alternative would be to fence in your most valuable plants and use tree guards elsewhere.