Red deer are the UK's largest land mammals and a keystone species of Scottish Highland ecosystems, with welfare affected by management, density, and climate.
Red deer welfare in Scotland is shaped by the tension between natural population processes and management intervention. At high densities, deer suffer starvation and disease in winter, particularly calves. Culling, when carried out humanely by skilled stalkers, can reduce chronic suffering from overcrowding. Overgrazing causes habitat degradation that reduces food quality for deer themselves. The welfare of deer during handling, transport, and slaughter in deer larders requires specific attention. Native woodland restoration improves food and shelter availability.