Drenthe approves controlled roe deer management to cut road collisions
Nearly 900 roe deer collisions occur annually in Drenthe, posing risks to drivers. After non-lethal measures proved insufficient, the province has approved targeted management to improve traffic safety while ensuring the deer population remains healthy.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual collisions | ~900 roe deer collisions recorded yearly in Drenthe |
| Management method | Targeted culling by Drenthe Wildlife Management Unit (FBE) |
| Population size | ~10,000 roe deer in Drenthe, monitored for conservation status |
| Permit duration | 2026–2031, with annual work plans and evaluations |
| Previous permit | Expired in 2025 after court ruling; new permit now issued |
| Non-lethal measures | Fencing, wildlife crossings, speed limits, and warning signs remain in use |
The Province of Drenthe oversees wildlife management and traffic safety within its jurisdiction. It approves permits and plans for fauna management, ensuring measures align with conservation goals while addressing public safety concerns like road collisions.
Read the full translated article below
Province of Drenthe grants permit for targeted management of roe deer
The Province of Drenthe has granted an environmental permit to the Drenthe Wildlife Management Unit (Faunabeheereenheid Drenthe, FBE) for the targeted management of roe deer. The measure is necessary because the number of roe deer collisions in Drenthe has been too high for years. On average, nearly 900 collisions are recorded annually.
The province has been relying on non-lethal measures for many years, such as fencing, wildlife crossings, lower speed limits, warning signs, and adapted verge management. These methods remain important but have proven insufficient on busy roads to further reduce the number of accidents.
“We need to take action to reduce the number of roe deer collisions. This is important for traffic safety in our province. All other measures have already been implemented. Management will only take place where it is truly necessary, and the roe deer population will remain healthy.”
The province has also granted permission to quickly and carefully euthanize severely ill or injured roe deer.
Management by the Drenthe Wildlife Management Unit
The management will be carried out by the wildlife management units of the Drenthe Wildlife Management Unit (FBE) according to the Province of Drenthe Roe Deer Management Plan 2026-2031, approved by the province. The wildlife management units will draft annual work plans specifying how many and where roe deer may be managed. The FBE will monitor the implementation by the wildlife management units and report annually to the province.
The roe deer population in Drenthe is large and healthy, with approximately 10,000 roe deer. Through strict monitoring and annual evaluations, the province will ensure that the favorable conservation status is maintained.
New permit and wildlife management plan
The previous permit held by the FBE expired at the beginning of 2025, after a court ruled that the province had not sufficiently substantiated why culling was necessary and why alternatives would not suffice. As a result, management was halted, and a new permit was required.
The new permit will soon be published as an official announcement by the province on overheid.nl. The Roe Deer Management Plan will be published by the FBE, together with the permit, on its website.