page 12 19. Red deer in Scotland have no natural predators. Control of the growth of a population to prevent it from outstripping resources is achieved by annual culling. The number killed annually must be greater than the recruitment (annual population increase due to births). Since birth rates vary, computer models are used to generate three estimates for recruitment based on birth rates of 30%, 35% and 40%. The number of red deer culled annually is recorded in different areas. The table shows cull totals for one year in four areas, along with estimated recruitment at each birth rate. Area Cull total Estimated recruitment based on birth rate 30% 35% 40% North Ross 2654 2151 2557 2963 East Loch Ericht 887 897 1066 1234 Breadalbane 3026 1396 1659 1922 Knoydart 1082 1079 1283 1487 If the true birth rate is 35%, the area(s) in which the cull is sufficient to prevent population growth would be A North Ross, East Loch Ericht, Breadalbane and Knoydart B North Ross, Breadalbane and Knoydart only C North Ross and Breadalbane only D Breadalbane only.