Islanders have voted against culling all red deer on a 93,000-acre estate in the Outer Hebrides.

A number of residents within South Uist Estate had raised concerns about the spread of Lyme disease, which can be passed to humans from parasitic ticks carried by deer.

There had also been complaints that the animals had been damaging grazing land and gardens.

A petition was launched calling for the removal of all deer from the estate.

But in a vote on Monday organised by Storas Uibhist – the community group which owns the estate – 379 residents backed to save the animals against 140 who wanted them culled.

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Storas Uibhist’s board believed eradicating all the deer was unnecessary, but agree a large cull is needed.

Chairperson Mary Schmoller said it was “heartening” to see a huge amount of participation in the vote.

She added: “The large number of people present at last night’s meeting and the fact that so many members of the community took the time to vote shows that true democracy is alive and well on South Uist.”

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‘We have culled a large number of deer this winter’

Chief executive Darren Taylor added: “We are pleased that the community have supported the board’s position.

“We have culled a large number of deer this winter and we will continue to reduce the size of the herd and deal with marauding animals quickly and effectively.

“At the same time we believe a well-managed deer herd is an asset to the island and we never thought eradication was the right path to take.”

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‘Cull targets were increased this year’

NatureScot staff have been working closely with the Uist Deer Management Group.

A spokesperson from the Scottish government agency said: “Cull targets were increased this year following a helicopter count in August 2022 that confirmed the deer population is higher than previously thought.

“The community-owned South Uist Estate has been carrying out ongoing management of deer and has exceeded their cull targets for both hinds and stags.

“NatureScot will work with the estate to address the negative impacts and ensure that effective management brings deer numbers and densities to sustainable levels.”

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