Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team say that two recent call-outs may have been caused by deer rather than hillwalkers. On both occasions the alarm was raised after sounds were heard which sounded like emergency whistles.
The Rescue Team made two searches both in Glen Nevis, one of which lasted 6 hours and also involved a helicopter search. On the second search Team members also heard the whistling sounds. After the fruitless searches, wildlife experts told the Team that sika deer can make a whistling sound during the mating season, although this would usually be heard between September and November.
Sika deer, which were introduced to the country from Asia in the mid 19th century, have become established in many parts of the country, including the Great Glen.
Walkers needing to attract rescue attention in the hills should use the distress signal of 6 whistle blasts followed by a pause and then repeated.