Glen Haywood is a bus driver in Hainault but has spent his spare time rescuing wildlife for the past six years.
On the morning of October 7 Glen was called to a report of a dead muntjac – a small species of deer – which had been found by a dog walker at Fairlop Waters.
He believes it was hunted by humans and the meat was taken to be eaten.
Redbridge Council said patrols of its parks have been increased.
“If it was hunted for fun, it would have just been left there and sometimes deer’s antlers are taken as trophies but this was a muntjac which are smaller and don’t really have antlers,” Glen said.
“The fact that it has been stripped of all meat – skin as well – makes me think it was used for food.
“The cut to the head was perfectly straight which suggests a sharp cutting implement rather than bite marks of a fox and the head and eyes were still intact – a fox would take all the meat including the head.”
Glen said it was hard to tell what method was used to kill the animal but believes it may have either been shot or caught in a snare.
He said he has found more handmade snares in Fairlop Waters as well as Hainault Forest recently – both of which are country parks and have no grounds for hunting.
“A snare doesn’t discriminate – it will catch whatever ventures into it from deer to rabbits to dogs or even a human foot,” he said.
“A human has the capability to know what it is and free themselves but a wild animal will thrash around and the more it does that, the tighter the trap gets.
“It’s crazy but this seems to be the way that people are turning – I don’t know whether it’s to do with the cost of living.”
Glen claimed that he has witnessed people putting out food for geese and then “hiding behind trees” waiting to catch them in Fairlop Waters.
He also said he has recovered numerous fishing traps in the lakes.
He said: “It angers me because wildlife is free and there for us to see.
“Animals only face harm from humans and they should just be left and enjoyed.
“We should live alongside them rather than persecute them.
He also claimed that the number of reports he receives of injured, sick or dead animals has risen in recent years.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said it has fully investigated a report of poaching at Fairlop Waters but has made no arrests.
They added: “Our specialist wildlife crime officers, attached to our neighbourhood policing teams, work closely with partners at Redbridge Council who report a downturn in the number of wildlife crimes being brought forward in recent months.
“Our officers offer bespoke support to local park rangers who complete dedicated patrols at these locations to continue to prevent and reduce instances of wildlife crime on Redbridge borough.
“We encourage anyone witnessing wildlife crime to report it immediately to police.”
Redbridge Council leader Kam Rai said: “I’m deeply upset by the recent reports of harm to wildlife in our parks and it must stop.
“These acts are unacceptable and have no place in our borough.
“We’ve sadly seen incidents like this before, and each time they cause distress to our community.
“Our parks are home to deer, geese and other wildlife that deserve to be protected.
“I thank local people who’ve shared reports, stepped in, and helped where they can.
“Vision, who manage our parks, and the ParkGuard service have increased their patrols and are working closely with the council to monitor the situation.
“We’re also supporting police investigations and will seek prosecution against anyone found responsible.
“We’re committed to keeping our parks safe for people and for the wildlife that lives there.”
