Warning after spate of fatal deer road collisions

Six species of deer have been recorded in Lincolnshire, including large populations of fallow (pictured) and muntjac

Drivers have been warned to be on the lookout for deer after a spate of crashes involving the animals in Lincolnshire.

Volunteers from Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue said they had dealt with four incidents over the weekend.

None of the collisions, which all left the animals with "severe and unrecoverable injuries", were reported by those involved, the charity said.

"We understand that sometimes collisions are unavoidable, but please do not leave them behind for someone else to find," a spokesperson added.

The charity said motorists were advised to be alert to deer crossing during peak danger periods from October to December and in May, with the highest risk times being from sunset to midnight, and the hours shortly before and after sunrise.

In the event of hitting a deer, drivers should pull over where it is safe and call police.

The charity said motorists needed to be alert to deer crossing during peak danger periods

According to the Lincolnshire Deer Group, which works to raise awareness of the issue, the number of deer involved annually in traffic collisions across the whole of the UK is estimated to be up to 74,000.

Some collisions also resulted in people being injured and in a small number of cases killed, the group said.

Locally, the group said it was called to 194 deer collisions in 2023, up from 140 the previous year.

Volunteer Wayne Radley, 66, said: "The deer population is exploding, and it’s forecast to continue unless drastic action can be taken.

“Big culling doesn’t take place anymore and groups that do are restricted by government practices," he said.

Mr Radley, who has been involved with the deer group for 10 years, added: “We’re a crop growing county, there’s excellent food for them, there’s plenty to eat.

“They don’t have a natural predator anymore and haven’t had for hundreds of years."

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