Deer of Ireland

There are three species of deer living wild in Ireland today, namely Red Deer, Fallow Deer, and the Sika Deer.^[1] Red deer have been in Ireland since the end of the ice age, but almost became extinct there, with only around 60 left, in the 20th century, but have now made a comeback to approximately one thousand. Fallow deer were introduced in Norman times, 1169 AD, and now have a population of about 10,000. Sika deer were introduced in Powerscourt park in 1860, escaped from captivity, and now number about 20,000. A recent itroduction Reeves's Muntjac is becoming established.

The Irish Elk became extinct in Ireland about 10,500 years ago, many of their skeletal remains have been found well preserved in peat land.

Native Deer species

• Red Deer

Introduced Species

• Fallow Deer
• Roe Deer - Now extinct.
• Sika Deer
• Muntjac

Gallery

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  Red Deer

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  Fallow Deer

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  Sika Deer

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  Irish Elk

References

1. ^ Wild Deer Association of Ireland