Stalkers tracked and killed the deer on the Loch Choire Estate in Sutherland, northern Scotland, where large areas of peatlands and woodlands are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

NatureScot used its intervention powers in the Deer (Scotland) Act to carry out the cull, with 12 deer so far having been "humanely" killed.

The Scottish government agency claimed "little or no culling" had taken place in recent years, stating that the estate's owners had failed to respond to requests to manage the deer numbers themselves.

Although deer are recognised as a valued and important element of Scotland's biodiversity, culling is deemed a necessary part of managing the impacts of deer and keeping the ecological balance in check for the environment.

According to Forestry and Land Scotland, sustained heavy browsing by deer prevents woodland regeneration.

It says the animals are "the most widespread threat to the condition of woodland biodiversity in Scotland and could impact on the forest industry's climate change mitigation measures including peatland restoration".

Donald Fraser, NatureScot's head of wildlife management, said: "While deer are an iconic species and form an important part of our biodiversity, their high numbers and lack of natural predators mean that they can have a negative impact on peatlands, woodlands and other habitats.

"Sustainable deer management is vital if we are to bring populations in balance with nature and effectively tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

"While we always favour a voluntary and collaborative approach to deer management, NatureScot will not hesitate to make use of the full range of powers available to us when necessary, to secure vital benefits for nature and climate.

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NatureScot said it uses densities and trends to look at the impacts caused by deer rather than just the numbers.

Loch Choire Estate is part of the East Sutherland Deer Management Group - North West sub-group. The target density for this sub-group is 7.5 deer per km2.

A helicopter count in November last year found the density was 13 deer per km2 for the Loch Choire Estate and 12.9 deer per km2 for the overall area.

NatureScot said the cull remains ongoing.

Sir Michael Wigan, chairman of the local East Sutherland Deer Management Group, added: "The Deer Management Group is supportive of NatureScot's approach here due to the lack of this estate's efforts to manage deer populations on the property and the need for local collaboration, which is important for effective and sustainable upland red deer management."