Population Health of Fallow Deer (Dama Dama) on Little St. Simons Island, Georgia, Usa

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Fallow deer (Dama dama) were introduced to Little St. Simons Island, Georgia, USA in the 1920s and thrive at high population densities, to the exclusion of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginina). The presence of introduced pathogens and parasites as a result of their introduction is currently unknown, as is the impact of native disease on the exotic fallow deer. Hunter-killed fallow deer from 2003-2005 were necropsied and surveyed for evidence of infectious disease, parasitic agents, and toxicologic parameters. Fallow deer were positive for antibodies to bovine virus diarrhea virus I and II, bluetongue virus, and bovine adenovirus. Twenty species of bacteria were isolated from the internal organs, and 14 species of parasites were recovered including one abomasal nematode, Spiculopteragia asymmetrica, which is not known to occur in native North American ungulates. Concentrations of liver and copper were low, while lead, zinc, and iron were considered within normal levels. No clinical signs of disease were noted, and the overall health of the insular fallow deer was considered good.

Home range and habitat selection of an insular fallow deer (Dama dama L.) population on Little St. Simons Island, Georgia, USA

“…Seasons were divided according to local environmental conditions and fallow deer behavior into the following time periods: winter (January-March), spring (April-June), summer (July-September), and fall (October-December). Because lek mating strategies used by LSSI fallow deer (Morse 2008) could influence seasonal home ranges of males and females, we censored location data collected during 2-16 October (i.e., peak mating season).…”

“…Currently, only fallow deer remain on the island and this population is thriving (Morse 2008). The number of fallow deer released is unknown, although four males and two females were purchased from the Bronx Zoo in New York and shipped to the island in 1923 (Johnson personal communication).…”

“…The number of fallow deer released is unknown, although four males and two females were purchased from the Bronx Zoo in New York and shipped to the island in 1923 (Johnson personal communication). The current fallow deer population is estimated at 550-970 deer (Morse 2008).…”

Serological survey of wild cervids in England and Wales for bovine viral diarrhoea virus

“…Various domestic species including sheep, pigs and camelids (9), have been shown to be seropositive for the virus. Additionally, sympatric wild species have been exposed to the virus, including rabbits that had a low seroprevalence (10) and several different cervid species, for example fallow deer (Dama dama) (11,12), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) (13), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (14), blacktailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus), (13), red deer (Cervus elaphus) (12,(15)(16)(17)(18), Sika deer (Cervus nippon) (12) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) (15,19). Their role in the dynamics of BVDV, for example whether they are spill-over or maintenance hosts, with subsequent impact on farm elimination programs has yet to be defined.…”

Retrospective detection by negative contrast electron microscopy of faecal viral particles in free‐living wild red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) with suspected enteropathy in Great Britain

“…Adenovirus infections are widespread across vertebrate taxa, and infections are recorded from wild and domestic animals as well as human beings (Benkö 2008). Specific examples from mammalian wildlife species include infections in deer (Morse and others 2009), otters (Park and others 2007), red foxes (Thompson and others 2010) and Franklin's ground squirrel ( Spermophilus franklinii ) (Durham and others 1988). Enteric adenovirus infection was first recognised in red squirrels in Britain during the 1990s (Sainsbury and others 2001).…”