ANIMAL NEWS IRELAND

Ireland’s sika deer have now been officially classified by the European Union as an invasive species.

The species, long established in Ireland since its introduction in 1860, was added to the EU’s list of invasive alien species last summer, but the decision only became applicable to Ireland in recent days.

The designation obliges EU countries to eradicate, control, or prevent the spread of listed species.

The sika deer (Cervus Nippon), also known as the Northern spotted deer or the Japanese deer, is a species of deer native to East Asia.

Four sika from Japan were imported into Ireland in 1860 and introduced to Lord Powerscourt’s Demense in Co. Wicklow. In 1865, three sika deer, one male and two female, from Powerscourt’s estate were sent to the Lord Kenmare’s Muckross estate in Co. Kerry.