Question reference: S6W-25424
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 9 February 2024
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Current status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 28 February 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the occupied range of muntjac deer in Scotland, and the extent of any damage being caused by the species.
Answer
There is no established population of muntjac in Scotland. There have been sporadic sightings of muntjac in Scotland, most of which are unverified. Any confirmed sightings of muntjac have been captured or culled.
In the past 30 years, only five muntjac records have been accepted as correct, based on photographic or physical evidence and all of these are believed to have escaped from captivity nearby.
We encourage land managers and members of the public to continue to report sightings of muntjac via the reporting page on Scotland’s Environment Website or directly to NatureScot, for NatureScot to investigate.