Wild deer across the North West are being killed by poachers supplying a back-door trade in illegal venison.
The animals are being hunted at night by gangs who sell the meat to restaurants and bars, ending up in the food chain even though they are not being slaughtered in accordance with strict regulations.
The practise of "lamping" - or using bright lights to flush deer out of wooded areas - is understood to be used before the animals are shot.
Police have found evidence of some deer which have suffered slow painful deaths - including one which was badly wounded but managed to escape the poachers. It took two days to succumb to its wounds.
According to wildlife crime investigator, Inspector Michael Winters, it is rare for a carcass shot by poachers to be recovered but this one was found by a private deer herd manager on land between Londonderry and Claudy.
He said he hopes officers will now be able to catch those responsible.
"We have, over the last two years, been keeping an eye on this problem," said Inspector Winters.
"We often find evidence that a deer has been removed from a field, but on this occasion we have recovered the entire carcass which hopefully will give us some forensic possibilities."
But police acknowledge that this illegal trade is likely to continue as long as there are restaurant and bar owners who are willing to buy from the poachers.
© UTV News