Current status
There are three well-established feral breeding populations; the largest, in Kent/Sussex was estimated in 2004 at approximately 200 animals in the core distribution area, the second largest in the Forest of Dean/Ross on Wye area, where there is probably in excess of 100 animals, and the smallest, in west Dorset, where there are still believed to be fewer than 50 animals. Following escapes in winter 2005/6 animals were reported in areas around the fringes of Dartmoor and evidence of breeding in the wild has been recorded (Natural England data). In some of these areas it appea