Deer Facts & Figures

There are four species of deer found within the Park, all contributing to different extents to the biodiversity and economy of the area.

The UK's largest wild land mammal, Red deer are common in most areas of the Park and have long been central to the cultural and natural heritage of the Highlands. Their economic importance and significant positive and negative impacts on the land means that their careful management is critical, and at times causes controversy. Roe deer are also numerous in the Park and are a common sight on lower ground close to woodland. Although less high profile, they are popular with wildlife spotters and are vauled for venison, but can cause damage to young trees and crops. Non-native Sika deer are present in much smaller numbers and are of concern because of their potential to interbreed with Red deer. The unique herd of semi-domestic Reindeer in the Cairngorms are important mainly as a tourist attraction.

Red Deer

  • Part of the natural biodiversity of the Cairngorms since the end of the last Ice Age;

  • Currently over 25,000 red deer occur within the Park on moorland and in forests;

  • Stalking red deer helps sustain significant numbers of jobs within the Park;

  • Deer grazing prevents some natural heritage objectives from being achieved, eg the expansion of native woodlands to achieve wider biodiversity objectives;

  • The management of red deer requires careful planning to balance the benefits of jobs with the costs of damage. 

Roe Deer

  • Roe deer are part of our natural biodiversity;

  • Roe are found in a variety of habitats including woodland, moorland and are often resident on farmland;

  • Roe are increasingly colonising gardens and towns;

  • Stalking roe deer generates income for land managers;

  • Roe browsing probably prevents broad leaved trees from establishing in some pinewoods in the Park;

  • Roe deer generally create far less controversy than red deer.

Sika Deer

  • A non-native species introduced from Japan in the 1890s;

  • Sika can hybridise with red deer to produce fertile offspring;

  • Sika are resident as a breeding population in the Park, west of the Spey;

  • Sika stags are occasionally seen east of the River Spey but sika have not been recorded as a breeding species in the central core of the Cairngorms;

  • Deer managers are working hard to prevent colonisation east of the River Spey.

Reindeer

  • Extinct as a wild animal in Britain for over 7000 years;

  • A semi-domesticated herd was introduced to the Cairngorms in 1952;

  • This herd is stable at about 130-150 animals;

  • The reindeer range over a wide area but are regularly handled and supplementary fed;

  • The herd is a significant tourist attraction and the animals create few negative impacts.

 

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