Do not feed deer, community urged
Residents and visitors in Kinlochleven are being strongly urged not to feed deer following increasing reports of attacks on humans and dogs in the village.
Kinlochleven Community Trust, Community Council and Jahama Highland Estates are currently working with NatureScot to proactively deal with this issue through raising awareness of the dangers.
In a statement to the Lochaber Times, the Kinlochleven Community Trust Board said: ‘The trust is actively taking an interest in the current situation involving the feeding of the deer population within the village as we are concerned about the health and safety of our community and the deer themselves.’
A petition calling for action has gathered more than 200 signatures, while the trust has received numerous emails and calls from worried community members who have witnessed property damage and found significant evidence through ecological surveying that the number of deer are having a negative impact on the local flora and forest regeneration.
‘As such, we are working with residents, other local landowners, the police and NatureScot to look at possible solutions to the situation,’ continued the statement. ‘It is becoming increasingly apparent that the current position will not be improved until the residents that are feeding the deer stop this behaviour. They are wild animals and should be treated accordingly. Domesticating them is affectively putting them at risk by feeding them an inappropriate diet, encouraging them to live in urban environments and reducing their fear of humans.’
NatureScot has issued similar guidance and is encouraging local deer managers and deer management groups to get involved to reduce the negative impacts of deer on public areas and gardens.