New data has revealed more than 10,000 animals were released into the New Forest last year, but more were killed or injured in crashes.

The data produced by the Verderers of the New Forest, whose role is to protect and regulate the New Forest, conserving its landscape and wildlife, has revealed that during 2023, 10,509 animals were turned out, 43 killed and 21 injured.

There were 5,561 ponies, 4,075 cattle, 475 pigs, 235 donkeys and 235 sheep.

According to the figures, 27 ponies, seven cattle, four pigs, two donkeys, and three sheep died in crashes.

Most, 67, happened during the night when visibility is reduced.

The data revealed an increase in the number of animals turned out compared to 2022, with 10,340. That year, 41 animals were killed and 19 injured.

Sue Westwood, clerk to the Verderers, said: “When an animal is killed or injured, a person is affected, some of which are children.

“To some, it is a financial loss, but a lot of owners will grieve as well.  It’s not nice to think your pony was hit and fatally injured by a vehicle, and often, the animal is not killed outright.

“We always hope the driver will report the accident immediately, but every year, a proportion of drivers don’t.

“Animals have been left all night with broken limbs or a broken back in a ditch. That is inexcusable. Drivers won’t be prosecuted or fined if they kill or injure an animal so long they report it.”

However, she said that if they don’t report it and are caught, the police will prosecute them for failing to stop and report and sometimes for causing unnecessary suffering.

She added: “There is a reward of up to £5,000 for information that leads to the conviction of a driver responsible for a hit and run animal RTC in the Forest.”

Miss Westwood suggested that one reason for this increase is people returning to offices for work after Covid-19 saw a boom in homeworking.

“The increase in accidents since 2020/2021 is probably due to more people coming back to work after Covid.

“There are more drivers back on the roads at commuter time."

Verderers indicated that the most dangerous roads are “the same now as they have always been”.

They include the B3078 Cadnam to Fordingbridge, B3055 Sway to Brockenhurst and then Brockenhurst to Beaulieu, and the B3054 Lymington to Beaulieu and then Beaulieu to Dibden.