Short Communications

Abstract

We review the extent of exotic deer distributions in Chile, which are encountered in all provinces, including Tierra del Fuego, except for possibly Region III: many deer are contained in >100 enclosures. Red deer (Cervus elaphus) by far have the largest feral population of exotic cervids in southern South America, providing source animals that can easily cross the Andes between Chile and Argentina. Red deer were introduced from Europe to the central valley of Chile in 1928. Since the 1940s, feral populations have expanded from Argentina into Chile, by way of easily accessible, lowelevation mountain passes of the Andes, accompanied by further direct shipments from Argentina. The area occupied by 1990 was about 3400 km², but this increased to 7700 km² by 2002. The overall area invaded by 2002 was between 37°42'S-54°55'S and 73°36'W-69°50'W (Argentina and Chile combined, though not contiguous). Negative ecological impact from red deer in Chile have been described since 1981, and red deer figure in the Chilean Pest Manual. A conservative rate for the red deer invasion is 1 km/year, but likely is more rapid where habitat modifications facilitate movement. The pre-Columbian northern limit of the native cervid huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) was 30°S, and as red deer have occupied all habitat types currently used by huemul, they could thus spread >750 km further north. To the south, all areas are suitable for red deer. Invasion patterns will depend on additional intentional introduction and enclosures on both side of the Andes due to the omnipresent risk of escapes. Fallow, axis and roe deer (Dama dama, Axis axis, Capreolus capreolus, respectively) also have been introduced to Chile and occur in many enclosures. Fallow deer recently escaped on Chiloé Island, became established and raise concerns due to the potential negative impacts on several endemic species on the island. The striking lack of information on feral deer may relate to the policy and laws about firearms and restricted access to hunting areas, resulting in the apparent absence of popular hunting, which could be a potential tool should the invasion continue and lead to future deer overabundance.