WILDLIFE authorities have said they are unaware of what has been called ‘a significant number’ of invasive deer around the Letterkenny area.
The matter was first raised by DUP MLA Jim Wells via an Assembly Question at Stormont.
Wells queried the numbers of the invasive Reeves’ Muntjac deer, which originate in China and asked what steps the National Parks and Wildlife Service had taken to prevent the deer from making their way into Northern Ireland.
“My Department is not aware of a significant escape of Reeves’ Muntjac in the Letterkenny area of County Donegal,” read the reply from Environment Minister Michelle McIlveen.
“My officials have reviewed the records directly with the Invasive Species Officer at the National Biodiversity Data Centre and there are no records in this area.
“Officials have also consulted their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland about such a release and they are not aware of it either.”
Minister McIlveen confirmed that her department had worked alongside authorities from both sides of the borner.
She said: “My officials maintain close contact with agencies in the Republic of Ireland where there are issues of a mutual interest, and would assess what action may be required within our legislative remit should such an outbreak be confirmed.
“In Northern Ireland, if any member of the public suspects that a wildlife crime has occurred, such as releasing this species into the wild, they are directed to call the PSNI on the 101 number and report it.
“Together with our colleagues in the Republic of Ireland, we encourage members of the public to report such sightings.”
