Dutch park may use predators to control deer population

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2007

THE HAGUE (AFP) — A Dutch park of natural sand dunes may introduce predators such as wolves or wildcats to control its overpopulation of deer, a local official said Wednesday.

The park's management company, Waternet, "has made some study proposals. One of them is to introduce predators," said Marjolijn Goethem, a spokeswoman for the local commune west of Amsterdam where the park is located.

"But other scenarios have also been proposed, like selective hunting, the use of contraceptive medicines, the installation of higher fences to prevent animals from escaping, or simply to do nothing," she added.

Some 1,500 deer populate the area, where water is treated by sand filtration.

In 2006, they caused 13 road accidents after jumping over the park's fences...