New Study Reveals the Challenges of Red Deer Reintroduction

A new paper entitled Mortality and spatial behaviour of farmed red deer after hard reintroduction has been published in the Italian Journal of Animal Science. Its co-authors include  Konstantinos Papakostas, Ph.D, a researcher at the Faculty of Environmental Protection. The study was conducted with researchers from the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture under the leadership of professor Nikica Šprem,Ph.D, Full Prof. .

Using GPS telemetry, the researchers monitored 16 farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) released directly into the wild in central Croatia without a prior acclimatisation period. They analysed their survival, causes of mortality, movements and home-range establishment.

Post-release mortality reached 69 per cent, with poaching identified as the leading cause and males particularly affected. Only half of the monitored animals established a stable home range.

The findings highlight the risks of releasing farmed animals directly into the wild and underline the importance of appropriate release strategies, post-release monitoring and effective protection against illegal killing.

The paper is available through open access:
Mortality and spatial behaviour of farmed red deer after hard reintroduction
or
Mortality and spatial behaviour of farmed red deer after hard reintroduction