Past Research Projects:
Deer Nutritional Ecology
In year 2000 RIDGE Inc. funded a research
project conducted by Mr. Neal Finch who submitted it as a partial
fulfillment of the requirements of Batchelor of Applied Science (Animal
Studies) Honours degree. His paper is titled; "The Performance and
Condition of Wild Red Deer in Queensland".
Mr. Neal Finch and his study supervisor
Dr. Gordon Dryden, Senior Lecturer in Animal Nutrition, School of
Animal Studies, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland,
Australia have given their approval for the complete study to be
published on this website.
The following text is taken verbatim from
the
Summary page of the paper to indicate the scope of the
research.
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"Wild red deer (Cervus elaphus)
have been present in a small area of Queensland for more than
a century. Their place on the Queensland coat of arms, and as the emblem
of the Esk Shire, gives the species a unique historical status among
introduced vertebrates in Australia.
Viewed as a pest to agriculture by some people, wild deer are also the
basis of a safari hunting industry in South East Queensland. Wild red
deer are an important resource for recreational hunters as well. There
has been virtually no research into wild red deer in Queensland, despite
the need for management based on reliable data.
The objective of this research was to test the following general
hypothesis: "The performance and condition of wild red deer in South
East Queensland is favourable in comparison to those parameters in other
red deer populations". To achieve this two surveys at five properties
throughout the wild red deer range were conducted, one in March and one
in July. Data relating to the performance, condition and diet selection
was collected during each survey.
The results of this research clearly support the general hypothesis
tested. During 2000 the Queensland herd was found to be as productive as
some of the most productive red deer herds in the world. Although some
calf mortality was apparent, there appeared to be good survivorship of
calves to yearlings. The body size of Queensland red deer in this survey
compared favourably with the body size of New Zealand's red deer.
Both pasture grasses and browse species, many considered as weeds,
contributed a significant proportion of the diet composition of deer in
this study. The diet was found to vary throughout the range. There was a
clear trend of decreasing condition from west to east within the wild
red deer's range.
This study provides some baseline information, which together with
ongoing research, should form the basis of sound management policies for
this species in the future".
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The entire study paper is available as a
PDF file. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required, file is 1807 Kb)
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Animals will be captured
either with tranquiliser darts containing Xylazine or in
established deer traps. A qualified veterinarian is required to
supervise procedures. |
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An attempt will be made
to capture male deer of various ages, from ‘spikers’ to mature and
old aged stags. |
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Upon capture, animals
will be fitted with an expandable radio collar. These collars
contain a radio transmitter capable of being located from up to 6
kilometers away in a direct line or 2 kilometers in steep terrain. |
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The transmitter has a
battery life of approximately 24-36 months. The collar is designed
to break away from the animal after 18-24 months. |
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The transmitter pulses at
40 beats per minute but a mortality switch changes this to 80 beats
per minute if the collar remain still for 12 hours. |
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Discarded collars can be
located, retrieved and re-charged. |
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Animals can be relocated
and recaptured after 18 months if the collar is still active and
fitted with a new collar to extend the information flow from that
animal. |
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Morphological data such
as antler characteristics, body measurements and weight plus a
record of health status and any distinguishing features can also be
taken at the time of capture. |
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Large, bright numbered
cattle ear tags are also fitted at the time of capture to readily
distinguish the animal. |
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The animals released at
the point of capture. |
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Each animal located by
radio signal and/or visually at regular intervals. The preferred
interval is weekly; however animals that are remaining in an area
could be recorded on 2-week intervals. |
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Animals that cannot be
located or which are believed to have moved out of an area, can be
found with the use of light aircraft. After a 3 month period with no
signal recorded, the animal is said to be lost. |
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Each location is to be
recorded by GPS and logged on a detailed topographical map of each
individual area. |
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This data is available to
be downloaded to a GIS format to determine habitat characteristics
of each animal. |
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If any animal dies
throughout the study period, an attempt should be made to determine
the cause of death of the individual. |
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Permission must be sought
from any landowner onto whose property a collared animal may pass,
prior to any RIDGE member entering to obtain data, track or
recapture the individual. |
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If any collared animal
proves to be a problem to any landowner, that animal should be
removed from that property or destroyed and the collar retrieved
once permission to do so has been obtained. |
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Permission to traverse
Forestry areas to track animals must be obtained from the Department
of Primary Industries. |
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Local councils and police
should be notified of the intended research program prior to
commencement of the study. |
