Bedfords Park Deer

The following is an update from a Haveriomg Council Parks Officer in relation to the Deer at Bedfords Park:

There has been concern for some time on the health of the Red Deer in the enclosure at Bedfords Park. There have been too many deer in the enclosure as the herd has increased through breeding. There are two options in managing the size of game herds these being either culling or relocation.

It would not be acceptable in terms of public relations for Havering to cull the deer therefore the only option we have in managing the numbers is by relocation.

Undertaking the relocation of part of the heard has been very difficult over past years due to restrictions imposed on the movement of cattle and deer due to the recent Blue Tongue and the Foot and Mouth outbreaks. These movement restrictions were lifted a little while ago and officers have been working on a relocation plan for the deer.

The method detailed outlines a process that was followed to allow the deer to live a full and healthy life under the supervision of experts who are very experienced in managing and transporting deer.

On Thursday 22nd January twenty seven Red Deer were taken out of Bedfords Park. Seven of these were stags, which were darted to tranquillise them and their antlers were removed. This is to ensure their safety, that of their travelling companions and the staff handling them.

To achieve this Dr John Fletcher from Scotland a leading vet and deer herder, who has previously removed deer for Havering worked closely with Council staff from Grounds Maintenance, Parks and Havering Country Park. Council staff worked under difficult conditions and carried out the removal in a professional and controlled manner.

The deer that were taken to Scotland will end up in private collections. Dr Fletcher has recently returned from Southern France and has indicated that some of our deer may be transferred to private collections in Huddersfield and Hungary.

We now have a herd of sixteen deer that consist of three stags and thirteen hinds. By reducing the herd the remaining deer will have better grazing and the grass sward will improve.

Additionally one three year old stag was removed last week and was taken to a private collection at Knock Hatch Hall near Eastbourne. This stag will be replaced at a later date to change the blood line.