Physical condition of red deer in a high density population

Abstract

. 1996. Physical condition of red deer in a high density population. Acta Theriologica 41: 93-105.Physical condition in a living at high density (120 individuals/1000 ha of forest area) red deer Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758 population was studied by determining: dressed body weight, kidney fat index (KFI) and amount of visceral fat in 628 animals. Antler weights were also considered as condition index of stags. The mean body weight of calves of both sexes was identical, ie 38.0 kg, that of hinds fluctuated from 57.8 to 75.1 kg, stags -from 63.2 to 132.4 kg depending upon age. The KFI value for female and male calves, hinds, and stags at various age amounted respectively to: 1.54, 1.36, 1.60-1.76, and 1.17-2.69. Per cent of individuals with great amount of visceral fat amounted: in female calves -to 39.4, in male calves -33.3, in hinds -47.6-66.7, and in stags -20.0-100.0% depending upon age. Maximum weight of antlers was 4.2 kg. Despite high population density animals indicated generally good physical condition. Except that the condition of calves of both sexes has been maintained at a similar level, what evidenced an inferior condition of males during their growth. Males in contrast to females, reveal serious decline of condition following the rut, during autumn and winter. It was related to stag age and most marked in the animals of the oldest age-classes (no less than by 40%). Factors affecting the condition of red deer in their population from the Słowiński National Park were discussed.

Effects of age, density and sex ratio on reproductive effort in male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

“…Only one earlier study had access to longitudinal data, but was on only seven semi-domestic reindeer (Kojola, 1985). We here show that prime-aged male reindeer lose more weight during rutting than younger males, which is consistent with earlier studies on reindeer (Kojola, 1985) and red deer (Dzieciolowski et al, 1996;Yoccoz et al, 2002). Rather than a gradual increase in effort with age, effort was low for 1-and 2-year-olds, while increasing sharply for 3-to 5-year-olds ( Fig.…”

Age– and density–dependent reproductive effort in male red deer

“…Comparison of the activity budgets of young and prime-aged males suggests a higher reproductive effort in prime-aged males in the moose, Alces alces (Miquelle 1990) and the bison, Bison bison (Maher & Byers 1987). Consistent with this, on very limited datasets, a higher weight loss during rut was found for primeaged males compared with young males in the red deer (Dzieciolowski et al 1996; see also Bobek et al (1990) for prime-aged males) and reindeer, Rangifer tarandus (Kojola 1985).…”

Selectivity of wolf predation on red deer in the Bieszczady Mountains, Poland

“…Stags between 5 and 10 years of age are at their optimum, they are the most active males during rut and they copulate with a number of hinds (Clluton-Brock 1985). Although during the rutting season their fat stores substantially decline (Bobek et al 1990, Dziêcio³owski et al 1996, this age group stags were less vulnerable to wolf predation than younger males in my study. It must be considered, however, that the age structure of stags killed by wolves and those in the free living population were obtained by different methods.…”

“…Such stags are usually the youngest members of male groups or (mostly yearlings) still members of female groups, and normally do not take part in reproduction (Clutton-Brock et al 1982). Red deer males less than 5 years old grow intensively, and, as such, they do not deposit large fat reserves (Dziêcio³owski et al 1996). As members of male groups, these individuals have the lowest rank in the hierarchy and graze on the edge of the herd (Appleby 1980(Appleby , 1982.…”