Salt licking trial in bid to cut New Forest animal deaths

A trial involving salt licks is underway in the New Forest to try to lure livestock away from gritted roads and cut animal deaths.

Ponies, donkey and cattle are often attracted to roads after they've been treated to lick the salt, putting them more at risk of being involved in an accident.

Now 17 special containers have been placed near Roger Penny Way, one of the national park's deadliest routes.

The salt licks, large lumps of salt in a tyre, have been placed 135 metres from the B3078 which runs from Cadnam to Godshill.

Once the weather improves, the containers will be removed.

The New Forest Commoners Association hope it will "make a difference to animal behaviour and accident numbers".

If successful it could be rolled out on other routes.

44 animals died on New Forest roads last year.

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