Oh deer! Bungling environmentalist EU chiefs’ cock-up means Bambi-like deer MUST be killed
BUNGLING European Union (EU) officials have forced the slaughter of innocent majestic deer after zoo animals were listed as an invasive species.
World's smallest deer Chinese Muntjac enjoy breakfast
Brussels adopted a list of 37 species of animals and plants prohibited from spreading across the continent, but it forgot to make an exception for animals currently in zoos.
Now, five tiny Chinese Muntjacs, similar to a small Bambi-like deer, are to be killed because the EU prohibits them being in Europe and their transportation from one member state to another.
The deer, which stand at barely half a metre tall, are currently residing at a the Zoo Fördervereins in Leipzig, Germany.
They were destined for a private buyer in Holland, but that deal has been scuppered because Brussels wants the animals killed.
Zoo boss Michael Wiechert said: “These so-called invasive species are not kept, sold or bred.
“Some of the animals have to be slaughtered.
“The idea is correct, but unfortunately they forgot to make an exception for zoos.”
Despite a last ditch hearing in Saxon Landtag this week, the deer must be slaughtered because the zoo is having a massive refurbishment and had planned on moving some of the animals elsewhere across Europe, a plan that is prohibited under the EU law.
Grey squirrels and racoons are also set to be culled.
The EU has no single department for animal welfare, but divvies out the responsibility to the Agriculture Ministry and Health and Consumers Ministry.
Animal rights groups have hinted this shows the EU does not really care for animal welfare.
A statement on the EU website reads: “With the support and close co-operation of the Member States, the European Commission has been promoting animal welfare for over 40 years gradually improving the lives of farm animals.”
There is no mention of animals in zoos or bought for private ownership.
Muntjacs were originally brought to Britain by the Duke of Bedford in 1984 as a curiosity from China but some escaped or were freed my animal rights groups and settled across Europe.
The nocturnal loners do not only eat grass and fruit, but also small animals and carrion and because their warning call sounds like a dog barking, Muntjacs are also called barking deer.