New Forest animal deaths: Hit-and-run figures rise

Publicity campaigns have warned drivers of the dangers of livestock on roads in the New Forest

The number of hit-and-run crashes involving livestock in the New Forest went up in 2023, new figures have shown.

The Verderers said 18 motorists failed to report hitting an animal while driving in the national park.

There was a total of 92 accidents involving animals in 2023, up by 10 in 2022.

The National Park Authority (NPA) said the rise in accidents was "extremely disappointing".

The Verderers' figures show 27 ponies died in 2023, compared to 34 in 2022. However, the number of cattle, pigs and sheep that perished increased.

The number of incidents in which drivers failed to fulfil their legal obligation in reporting hitting an animal rose to 18 from 11 in 2022.

Three sheep, a piglet and a foal were killed within a week during the autumn.

The worst road for animal accidents was identified as the B3054 from Dibden to Lymington, which saw 22 accidents and 14 ponies killed.

While the number of ponies killed is at its lowest since records began in 1990, publicity efforts have continued to encourage drivers to curb their speed.

New Forest Roads Awareness Group is also campaigning for businesses to educate staff and customers about the "correct protocol" for anyone witnessing or involved in a crash.

Any incident involving a dead or injured animal should be reported to the Verderers.

The Commoners Defence Association is continuing to put out salt licks on the open forest along the B3078 Roger Penny Way to try and prevent animals being drawn towards gritted roads in winter.

Steve Avery, the New Forest NPA's executive director of strategy and planning, said: "It's extremely disappointing to see a rise again in animal accidents after the numbers have been consistently decreasing.

"Each animal death is a great loss to its owner and the forest, as the livestock have a crucial role to play in sustaining its rare habitats through their grazing."

Ponies, pigs, cattle and donkeys, owned by the New Forest's Commoners, are allowed to roam freely on the open forest under ancient rights tied to their properties and administered by the Verderers.

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