Species
Fallow Deer
(Dama dama)
The distribution of fallow is general in England, with substantial herds in Wales and southern Scotland. Further north there are local populations arising from park escapes or deliberate releases.
Currently the population size is estimated to be about 100,000 but management of this species outside established park herds is haphazard. This is the most important area that needs to be addressed (3).
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Research needs
A considerable amount of research has been conducted on fallow deer, although much of this has concentrated on deer parks or on wild populations in large contiguous woodlands such as the New Forest (4), (5). The following remains a priority:
Conservation actions
Development and support of regional Deer Management Groups is essential and should be encouraged. Away from large woodlands, fallow populations are probably highly mobile and thus may range over a number of land-holdings. Deer Management Groups need to address the significant problems of traffic accidents and poaching in conjunction with local police forces.
Sources and references
1 Chapman, D & Chapman, N. (1975) Fallow Deer. Terence Dalton Ltd, Lavenham, Suffolk.
2 Thirgood, S.J., Langbein, J. & Putman, R.J. (1999) Intraspecific variation in ungulate mating strategies: the case of the flexible fallow deer. Advances in the Study of Behaviour, 28: 333-36
3 Harris, S., Morris, P., Wray, S. & Yalden, D. (1995) A Review of British Mammals. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.
4 Putman, R.J., (1986) Grazing in Temperate Ecosystems. Large Herbivores and the Ecology of the New Forest. Croom Helm, London.
5 Putman, R.J. (1986) Competition and Resource Partitioning in Temperate Ungulate Assemblies. Chapman and Hall, London.
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