Two of the four wardens at the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve have been moved to new duties after refusing to take part in the cull of 1,800 deer.

The Volkskrant reported on Friday that the two object to shooting dead healthy animals and requested a transfer. One also reported getting death threats because of his job, but said that was not the reason to move.

On Thursday the final legal obstacle to the mass cull was removed when judges in Lelystad threw out objections against the shooting permits.

Three nature organisations had gone to to court in an effort to have the permits ruled illegal, saying the noise of the shooting would disturb birds, including sea eagles. Today’s ruling means there are no more legalities stopping the cull which, the forestry commission said, may start next week.

The shooting will take place on weekdays and will depend on a variety of factors, including the weather and where the animals are at the time. The agency aims to shoot 20 animals a day, which means it will take at least three months to complete the cull.