9th International Deer Biology Congress

AUTHORS: Gábor Nagy, Department of Animal Nutrition, Kaposvár University; Ágnes Csivincsik, Institute of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology, Kaposvár University; Attila Zsolnai, Research Institute for Animal Breeding, Nutrition and Meat Science; László Sugár*, Department of Game Biology and Ethology, Kaposvár University

ABSTRACT: The anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes is one of the most important economic risk factors in grazing ruminant systems, all over the world [1]. Underdosing (i.e. a subtherapeutic dose rate) is one of the most important factors contributing to the development of AR [2]. In this study, we aimed to determine the presence of BZ resistance in the generalist worm, Haemonchus contortus in a microregion, where the resources partly shared by sheep, free-ranging red and roe deer and in a farmed red deer herd (Fig. 1). In this survey, we used a RFLP-PCR method [3]; and the nomenclature of genotype and allele frequency, we followed detailed by Pierce [4], and their proportions were determined with 95% confidence interval (CI95%). For comparison of genotypes and alleles in the ruminant populations, the chi-square test was performed with Bonferroni correction using R statistical software i386 3.3.0 version.

AUTHORS: Riyaz Ahmad, Rahul Kaul, Mansoor Nabi Sofi, and Mayukh Chatterjee – Wildlife Trust of India

ABSTRACT: Kashmir Stag or Hangul Cervus hanglu hanglu is endemic to Kashmir and the Dachigam NP Park holds the only viable population currently. It was however, once distributed widely across the mountains of Kashmir is now reported only from certain pockets of the landscape1. The hangul was historically known to occur across an arc, 65 miles in width; north and east of the Jhelum and lower Chenab Rivers, from Shalurah in the north to Ramnagar in the south2,3. While hangul conservation has traditionally been centered around Dachigam National Park (DNP), historically, there were significant populations occurring outside the DNP. Over the last few decades, much of this has not been monitored and thus, Dachigam has been at the centre of hangul conservation. The population of hangul has been dwindling in Dachigam due to a variety of reasons which have not been addressed thus far. It is therefore imperative to revisit the remnant satellite populations of the species so that these could be conserved. This will create alternate sites where future conservation efforts may be directed and as a result increase the effective distribution range of the species.

We initiated a study to revisit the historical sites of hangul to assess its current status through restoring the habitats reconnect these populations. We collected secondary information from literature, hunters, locals, migratory herders and security forces present in and around these hangul sites. This was followed by the field surveys in the identified potential sites. We also conducted socio-economic surveys in the identified sites to assess the anthropogenic pressure on the habitats.We visited 33 sites in the North, South and Central Kashmir and interviewed local people, hunters, herders and security forces who patrol the area. On the basis of the interviews and indirect evidences, we could gather information about the presence of hangul in 9 sites, some used exclusively in winter and others during summer. Some sites harboured hangul all through the year. We confirmed the possibility of at least two discrete populations of hangul, besides the ones already known already known (Dachigam National Park and its vicinity, Khrew, Khunmon, Shikargah, Overa-Aru). One is the Wangat-Naranag-Telail catchment area and the other is the Chandeji-Diver-Guraiz population. Although, evidences of hangul presence have also been encountered from two other catchments but mostly through secondary accounts and these areas will therefore be surveyed again to assess their potential for sustained hangul conservation.

Besides hangul, all the areas surveyed, especially Naranag-Wanghat, Daksum and Thajwas-Baltal catchments also revealed evidences of other mammals, and also a good forest cover, thus rendering the areas as potentially good habitat for hangul also. Both the catchments are however are heavily pressurized due to grazing of livestock and extensive hunting, and therefore may be in greater need of more efficient protection and awareness initiatives. This information was incorporated in the current Hangul Conservation Action Plan to save Hangul and its habitat at a landscape level.

AUTHORS: Pablo Gambín, Martina Perez-Serrano, Tomas Landete-Castillejos, Andrés J. Garcia, Jamil Cappelli – Sec. Recursos Cinegéticos y Ganaderos, IDR, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, and Animal Science Techniques Applied to Wildlife Management Research Group, Instituto Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Spain; Salvador Luna, Departamento de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de Cádiz; José A. Gomez, Sec. Recursos Cinegéticos y Ganaderos, IDR, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; Javier Perez-Barbería, Laureano Gallego – Sec. Recursos Cinegéticos y Ganaderos, IDR, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, and Animal Science Techniques Applied to Wildlife Management Research Group, Instituto Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

ABSTRACT: Deer antlers are bone structures composed of osteons [1] that grow and cast every year. Conventionally, hardness around osteons (microhardness) has been used in internal bones to evaluate the effect of an implant on the nearby bone matrix [2], tissue condition [3], osteoporosis [4], osteoarthritis [5], and mineralization [6]. Although microhardness affects the mechanical properties of bones [7], data on microhardness of deer antler are scarce. In fact, there is only one study [8] that establishes a relationship between microhardness and Young´s modulus of antler (stiffness). In contrast, other mechanical properties of antler bone material, such as Young’s modulus, bending strength, work to fracture, or impact energy have been shown to correlate with bone mineral composition [9-11]. Thus, for example, Potassium (K) content of antler has been inversely related to Young´s modulus [9]. However, the greatest effect so far corresponds to Manganese (Mn): a reduction in Mn linked to an unexpected cold period at the end of winter [10] reduced impact energy, whereas Mn supplementation increased it [11]. Supplementation of other minerals can affect the mechanical performance of the whole antler not by changing the mechanical endurance of the bone material, but through an increase in the thickness of cortical wall. Such is the case of Copper (Cu), which tended to increase the cortical thickness in antler from adult deer [12]. Despite the importance of Mn and Cu in bone metabolism [13], there are no studies concerning the effects of supplementation with Mn and Cu on microhardness of osteons from antler deer. Thus, this study tested the hypothesis that subcutaneous injections of Mn (weekly 5 cm3/100 kg body weight, BW) and Cu (each 42 days 1 cm3/30 kg BW) during the whole antler growth period, could increase the Vickers hardness (VH) of osteons from antlers of 40 yearling (1.5 ± 0.1 yr) and adult (4.0 ± 1.6 yr) red deer. Additionally, the effect of the physiological effort along the antler expressed as the difference of VH of osteons between the top and the base of the antler (as percentage) was also studied. The feeding program (composed by the diet and the unifeed ration) was the same for all animals and the same as used by Gambín et al. [12], that met or exceeded the nutrient requirements of adult male cervids (including allowance for antler growth) according to their BW during the whole experiment [14]. The effect of mineral supplementation on microhardness of adult antlers was analysed in 4 positions from the base to the top along the antler beam as indicated by Landete-Castillejos et al. [10]. Antlers from yearlings included only 2 sampling sites from the base to the top (burr and second third of shaft) due to their smaller size as proposed by Cappelli et al. [11]. Microindentations were made in the middle of cortical bone of antler using a controlled load. The interaction between Mn supplementation and antler position was not significant for adults. In fact, Mn supplementation did not influence on VH of antlers but VH tended (P = 0.06) to decrease from burr (base) to the base of the crown (near top). However, an interaction (P = 0.04) between Mn supplementation and antler position was detected for yearlings. In this case, VH decreased along main beam (from burr to the second third of shaft) in the control group but remained stable in the Mn group. For Cu, a significant interaction (P = 0.049) was detected between supplementation and antler position for adults but not for yearlings. The VH tended to increase (P = 0.08) with Cu supplementation, but it was not influenced by antler position in younger deer. In older deer, the VH remained stable throughout the antler in Cu treated group but decreased from burr and first third of shaft to the second third of shaft and the base of crown. The difference in microhardness between the top and the base of the antler was affected by Mn supplementation in yearlings and adults but not by Cu supply at any age studied. The VH decreased in both groups, but the decrease was greater for control than for Mn deer for yearlings (-9.9 vs. -0.9%; P = 0.03) and for adults (-18.9 vs. -1.6%; P = 0.03). In conclusion, the VH is clearly affected by Mn and Cu supplementation in adult red deer and especially so in yearlings. In addition, Mn supplementation reduced the effect of physiological effort (expressed as percentage) on the VH of osteons from antlers in yearlings and adults, while the Cu supplementation reduced the effect of the physiological effort on the VH only when data from upper sections of the antler were considered. There is a possibility that Mn and Cu supplementation in humans could also improve the VH of osteons.

AUTHORS: Francisco Ceacero, Mechie A. Clar-Serrano, Radim Kotrba, Veit Ny – Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague; Ondrej Faltus, VVS Verměřovice s.r.o., Czech Republic

ABSTRACT: Amino acid supplementation is an almost unexplored research area in cervids. Only three studies have been previously conducted, all with a low sample size (four animals per experimental group) leading to inconclusive results[1,2,3]. These previous studies were conducted on Cervus elaphus and Cervus nippon. For that reason, in this study we focused on the effects of supplementation with ruminally protected amino acids in a large herd of fallow deer (Dama dama), which is the most commonly farmed deer species in Europe.
This study was designed to investigate the effects of lysine and methionine supplementation on growth performance, body condition, carcass traits, and blood plasma metabolites related to protein and fat metabolism, of fallow deer during the fattening period. A second goal was to determine the influence of two culling seasons on these parameters. Forty-five farmed male fallow deer were randomly allocated to three groups of 15 animals each, balanced by body weight. The supplementation experiment started at 11 months of age (calves from the previous year). All three groups were pasture-fed and supplemented with barley (500 g/ animal/ day) and mineral premix ad libitum. The groups received varying levels of ruminally-protected lysine and methionine: 1) no amino acids (Control), 2) 9 g/day of lysine (Lys), and 3) 9 g/day of lysine plus 3 g/day of methionine (Lys+Met). Animals were culled in two separate seasons: late autumn (LA; 6 animals/group), and late winter (LW; 9 animals/group). To compensate for the lack of pasture during winter, the animals received grass silage during this period. Generalized Linear Mixed Models tested the effects of treatment and culling period on selected carcass traits (culling weight, average daily weight gain ADG, carcass weight, dressing percentage, blood weight, percentage of meat, body condition score [BCS], kidney fat index [KFI], total kidney fat weight, percentage of internal fat) and blood biochemistry (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total proteins, albumin, globulins and tryglicerides).
Supplementation had no significant effects on final weight, while ADG significantly decreased in the LW (p=0.002). Lys+Met supplementation positively influenced BCS (p=0.024), while animals culled in LW showed decreased BCS (p

AUTHORS: Oscar Cortez Jr., King Ranch Inc. and Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville; Aaron M. Foley*, Charles A. DeYoung, Randy W. DeYoung, and David G. Hewitt – Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville; Matthew J. Schnupp, King Ranch Inc.

ABSTRACT: White-tailed deer are often aged by tooth replacement and wear (TRW). It is unknown whether environmental factors or visual bias influence estimated TRW age. For instance, sandy soils may accelerate tooth wear, whereas supplemental feeding may have the opposite effect. Further, visual cues, such as body size and antler size, may influence estimated TRW age. Cementum annuli (CA) is another ageing technique that is unbiased; thus, the differentials between TRW and CA may provide information about external influences on TRW ages. We obtained CA and TRW ages from 7,389 male deer harvested on King Ranch during 2000-2014 and performed a mixed-effects analysis, with the difference between CA and TRW ages as the dependent variable, antler size, feeder site density, body mass, soil characteristics, and harvest date as exploratory variables, and TRW as a random effect. Results indicated that fixed effects explained little of the variation in age differences (R2 = 0.01). The largest influence came from body mass; the greater the body mass, the higher the TRW age than the CA age. This indicates that visual bias may influence TRW age; however, the effect size was small. A 9 kg (20 pound) increase in dressed body mass decreases the difference between TRW and CA by 0.1 years. Sand and supplemental feed had small influences on age differentials. Our results agree with previous studies that differences between true ages and estimated ages are likely a function of variability in teeth among individual deer. Despite the variability, CA and TRW were ± 1 year ~70% of the time, indicating that TRW has value for management purposes.

AUTHORS: Meghan J. Camp, Lisa A. Shipley, and Daniel H. Thornton – School of the Environment, Washington State University

ABSTRACT: Changes in forest management over the last century, such as fuels reductions through thinning and prescribed burning, has the potential to influence populations and distributions of both mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in forested landscapes. However, because deer are difficult to survey in forested landscapes using traditional methods (e.g., capture and telemetry, transect surveys), biologists currently lack a method to reliably estimate densities within these landscapes. Furthermore, we have a poor understanding of the spatial and temporal segregation of mule deer and white-tailed, or of differences between the species in how they select habitat. Our project aims to address these problems by testing and validating a novel method that uses camera traps to estimate species-specific densities within the Colville National Forest in northeastern Washington, especially in relation to forest management initiatives aimed at reducing the risk of forest fires [1].
During October 2017, we deployed cameras for 26 days in the Colville National Forest to test the feasibility of a larger study to be carried out during the summer of 2018. The camera grid had an array of 30 cameras spaced 500 m apart (Fig. 1). At each camera location, we measured visual obstruction using a cover pole at 7 m and 15 m from the camera to provide an estimate of detectability by the camera in different habitats. During installation of the cameras, we measure distanced from the camera and recorded videos of researchers holding distance markers at 1- m intervals out to 20 m to provide a reference for estimating distances to filmed deer. To separately estimate densities of mule deer, white-tailed deer, and moose we estimated distances to recorded animals by comparing their distances to those of researchers in the reference videos. We fit point transect models, adapted to camera trap data, in program Distance [1]. We included visual obstruction at 7 and 15 m as covariates in the detection function to account for differences in detectability of animals because of vegetation. We sampled a total area of 12.25 km2. Eleven of the 30 cameras had at least one image of a moose, 12 had mule deer, and 21 had white-tailed deer. The density estimates, without including visual obstruction in the model, were 11.98 / km2 for mule deer, 15.77 / km2 for white-tailed deer, and 0.68 / km2 for moose (Table 1). The inclusion of visual obstruction in the model slightly improved the fit of the model (i.e., reduced AIC) and increased the density estimates (Table 2). Our next step is to sample deer and moose across a larger area and variety of habitat types within the Colville National Forest and compare our new camera-based method of density estimate with density estimated by traditional techniques (i.e., pellet group counts and line transect sampling).

AUTHORS: V. Martin Izquierdo, Argentine National Park Administration, Department of Conservation and Environmental Education; Werner T. Flueck, National Council of Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University Basel; Argentine National Park Administration and DeerLab; Jo Anne M. Smith-Flueck, DeerLab and Laboratorio de Teriogenología "Dr. Héctor H. Morello", Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Univ. Nac. Comahue; Gabriel Bauer, Argentine National Park Administration, Department of Conservation and Environmental Education

ABSTRACT: In Argentina, only 350 - 500 endangered huemul (Hippocamleus bisulcus) remain, and these are additionally fragmented into some 50 subpopulations along 1,850 km of Andean mountains.1,2,3 The most recent evaluation of IUCN indicates that the populations are declining.4 The Chilean volcano Chaitén erupted in 2008, depositing a large amount of ashes over Chile and Argentina.5 These ashes were considered chemically innoxious based on water leachates. Moreover, fluoride levels in surface water and plant material were determined to be safe. Based on clinical signs like osteopathologies, we analyzed bone samples of wild huemul at about 80 km from this volcanic eruption in the Los Alerces National Park. Fluoride concentrations were measured using isothermal distillation and direct potentiometry using an ion selective electrode ORION 94-09. In this study, we show that these ashes caused fluorosis even many years after the eruption, with bone fluoride levels reaching up to 2979 ppm, whereas the levels prior to the eruption averaged less than 50 ppm, similar to levels reported in the Lago la Plata area some 250 km further south.6 Although water leachates of ashes revealed low fluoride levels, ruminants - a major component of this ecosystem - are shown conversely to be susceptible to fluorosis. This likely resides in ruminant food processing: a) mastication and ash size reduction, b) thorough and repeated mixing with alkaline saliva, c) water-soluble extraction in the rumen, and d) extraction in the acidic abomasum. These results may partially explain the numerical decline noted around the years 2010-2011 for this monitored huemul population.

AUTHORS: László Sugár, Department of Game Biology and Ethology, Kaposvár University; Krisztián Frank, Department of Animal Breeding Technology and Management, Kaposvár University and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, National Agricultural Research and Innovation Center; Norbert Bleier, Institute for Wildlife Conservation, Szent István University; Kinga Szepesi, Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, National Agricultural Research and Innovation Center; Péter Horn, Department of Animal Breeding Technology and Management, Kaposvár University; László Orosz, Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, National Agricultural Research and Innovation Center and Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University; Viktor Steger, Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, National Agricultural Research and Innovation Center

ABSTRACT: Fragmentation of landscapes and deer habitats results in disintegration of natural populations into several subpopulations having a more or less pronounced genetic exchange. The presence of a genetic pattern is an important wildlife management issue, because the reduced gene flow between different populations may lead to genetic depletion [1]. Gene flow, maintained by the dispersal of animals, enhances genetic diversity, thus knowledge of the genetic diversity and the genetic exchange between neighboring populations is a precondition to discovering and evaluating potential problems and to determining the appropriate countermeasures [2]. Our objectives were to quantify genetic diversity and assess genetic structure of red deer (Cervus elaphus) populations in the Carpathian Basin. Samples were obtained from 267 free-ranging red deer legally harvested in six regions of the Carpathian Basin, 81 from Gemenc, 56 from Baranya, 58 from Somogy, 27 from Bakony, 9 from Csorna and 36 from Zemplén Mountains (Fig. 1). Samples were genotyped using 10 autosomal microsatellites [3], Allele frequencies as well as allelic richness and diversity indices were calculated based on individual genotypes with the help of the Cervus and GenAlEx softwares; individual genotypes were also processed with the Structure software.
Autosomal microsatellites showed a high genetic diversity in red deer: the number of alleles per locus varied between 6 and 25, with an average number of 16.4 alleles per locus. Heterozygosity values were also high; mean expected and observed heterozygosities were 0.832 and 0.773, respectively. Heterozygosity and allelic richness values per population were in the same range as for the whole sample set. Other diversity indices also showed high values for all populations; PIC was between 0.722 and 0.837 with an average value of 0.832, Shannon-Weaver Index values were between 1.668 and 2.046 with an average value of 1.940. Genetic structure was detected by the software Structure, the second order rate of change in log Pr indicate the presence of three clusters (K=3). Although the weak differentiation found in our samples (Fig. 2) could indicate some structuring, the numerous mixed genotypes suggest an extensive admixture between populations of different sites. Various demographic and historical factors may contribute to the lack of a clear genetic structure. A more extensive sampling would be desired in the Carpathian Basin, associated with genotyping and evaluation of results.

AUTHORS: Javier Perez-Barberia, Sec. Recursos Cinegéticos y Ganaderos, IDR, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha and Animal Science Techniques Applied to Wildlife Management Research Group, Instituto Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; Andrés J. Garcia, Sec. Recursos Cinegéticos y Ganaderos, IDR, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha and Animal Science Techniques Applied to Wildlife Management Research Group, Instituto Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; Pilar Lopez-Garrido, Sec. Recursos Cinegéticos y Ganaderos, IDR, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; Jose Manuel Lorenzo, Centro Tecnológico de la Carne (CETECA); Martina Perez-Serrano, Sec. Recursos Cinegéticos y Ganaderos, IDR, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha and Animal Science Techniques Applied to Wildlife Management Research Group, Instituto Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; Jamil Cappelli, Sec. Recursos Cinegéticos y Ganaderos, IDR, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha and Animal Science Techniques Applied to Wildlife Management Research Group, Instituto Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; Laureano Gallego, Sec. Recursos Cinegéticos y Ganaderos, IDR, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha and Animal Science Techniques Applied to Wildlife Management Research Group, Instituto Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; Ruben Dominguez, Centro Tecnológico de la Carne (CETECA); Miriam Pateiro, Centro Tecnológico de la Carne (CETECA); Maria Lopez-Quintanilla, Sec. Recursos Cinegéticos y Ganaderos, IDR, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha and Animal Science Techniques Applied to Wildlife Management Research Group, Instituto Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; Tomas Landete-Castillejos, Sec. Recursos Cinegéticos y Ganaderos, IDR, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha and Animal Science Techniques Applied to Wildlife Management Research Group, Instituto Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha

ABSTRACT: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest and most expanded (most Asian countries) of the so called “alternative medicines”. The second of its three pillars is the deer, and its most important product is the growing or velvet antler, which was already in use 2200 years ago. This type of medicine would be similar in principles to treatments based on “nutraceutics” in western countries. A nutraceutic is “a kind of food (or part of it) that brings medical benefits or for health, including prevention or treatment of a disease” [1]. There are a number of such benefits recorded by Asian researchers for velvet antler products [2, 3, 4]. It is very likely that such effects are based on the fast growing rate of antlers (1 cm/d; faster than cancer [5]). Such fast growth at biochemical and cellular level, is mediated by growth factors such as IGF-1, EGF, NGF and others [2]. These are more likely to be present or have greater concentrations in the sections close to the tip, which is where the antler grows. Beyond the potential benefits for health, developing products for TCM or western nutraceutics based on velvet antler and other products seem to be an outstanding opportunity for companies in the deer sector throughout the world. Velvet antler tips sell up to 21,000 €/kg in shops in Beijing and lower sections sell up to 4,000-6,000 €/kg (TLC, own experience). Price of nutraceutics based on velvet antler for the western “natural health” market is not much lower: pills made of velvet antler powder sold in internet by companies from New Zealand or Russia have a price around 1200 €/kg [6]. The industrial sector termed “deer pharmaceutical industry” by Chinese is a sector with a turnover of thousands of millions of dollars. The sector is based mostly on the one-million population of deer farmed in China, plus another approximately million deer farmed in NZ, producing about 1100 tons of velvet antler (non-official data suggests that Russia produces another 200 tons). The opportunities are greater for Spain: it is estimated that 650,000 deer are kept in large (1000 ha) game estates, and probably the whole population in Spain exceeds one million [7]. The meat processing industry (also producing other deer products exported frozen and unprocessed to China) in Spain estimates than currently, with few farms, 225,000 deer are shot every year in this country [8]. However, unprocessed frozen velvet antler is sold to China, Korea and other Asian countries by New Zealand at a price around 100 €/kg. Therefore, the greatest benefit rests on processing velvet and other deer products for Asian TCM market. Thus, an innovation project called INCYDEN started at the end of 2016 to assist Spanish industry to develop the technology to produce velvet and other deer products for TCM market, such as deer salami including a small proportion of velvet antler, and to improve the processing of venison for the western market. This poster shows some of the preliminary results of this project: 1) assessing different drying techniques and processing conditions of velvet; 2) efficiency of some treatments to reduce superficial bacterial load in velvet; 3) quantifying the amount of some bioactive components such as IGF-1. One of the aims of the present poster is to attract attention of research groups (particularly from Asia) to establish cooperation.

AUTHORS: Iver T. Hull, Stephanie L. Berry, Lisa A. Shipley – School of the Environment, Washington State University; Chris O. Loggers, Colville National Forest, U.S. Forest Service, Kettle Falls, WA

ABSTRACT: Inland northwestern forests of the United States were historically structured to support light fuel loads and frequent low-severity fires. For over 100 years, fire suppression has shifted these forests to have thick, continuous overstories, dense tree stocking, and heavy fuel loads, which increase the chances of catastrophic wildfires that threaten human safety and further alter natural forest communities [1]. To restore historic conditions, promote healthy forests, and reduce wildfire risk, a group of state, federal, and private forest managers in northeastern Washington State have used commercial thinning to remove a portion of the overstory canopy and reduce fuel loads in the Colville National Forest. In addition to unnatural wildfire risks, closed canopy, densely-stocked forests limit light penetration to the forest floor, which can limit production of herbaceous and woody understory vegetation. Therefore, these thinning projects have the potential to improve productivity of understory forage resources for native herbivores that reside in these forests, including mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus), and moose (Alces alces). To examine the effects of these thinning projects on the quality and quantity of forage resources for mule deer and white-tailed deer, we measured biomass, plant species composition, and nutritional quality of understory vegetation over four seasons in 78 stands that ranged from 0 – 100% canopy closure, 1 – 20 years post-thinning, along with unharvested stands. Within these stands, we also measured diet quality and composition, nutrient intake, and nutritional carrying capacity using bite-count methods with tractable, hand-raised deer.
Our preliminary results indicate that, non-conifer forage biomass increased as canopy cover declined (Fig. 1) and with time since thinning (Fig. 2). Additionally, we found that digestible energy and protein in deer diets decreased with high canopy cover. The amount of time spent active, based on accelerometer data calibrated with behavioral observations, showed that deer spent more time active as canopy cover increased and less time active as available biomass increased. Deer also spent a lower proportion of each day traveling with time since thinning. Deer bite and harvest rates increased with years following thinning and greater available biomass. Likewise, dry matter intakes increased with higher available biomass. Results from this project suggest that deer benefit from fuel reduction thinning projects. Higher available forage led to higher nutrient consumption and daily digestible energy and protein intakes. Daily intake of digestible protein and energy are directly related to deer fitness because they affect pregnancy, twinning rates, and fawn survival, which are good metrics for population sustainability [2]. Our data also indicate that the benefits of thinning increased until 15 – 20 years post-thinning, when canopies begin re-closing and light penetration again becomes reduced. Results from this project can help identify how deer adapt to changing, human-influenced habitats, aid in management decisions, and promote interdisciplinary natural resource management that supports biodiversity and sustainability.

AUTHORS: Amy C. Ulappa, School of the Environment, Washington State University, and Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University; Lisa A. Shipley*, School of the Environment, Washington State University; Rachel C. Cook,

ABSTRACT: Evaluating the ability of a landscape to support wild herbivores is critical for understanding and predicting the effects of habitat characteristics and land management activities on these populations. Because plants vary in nutritional quality, the abundance of nutritious forage directly influences survival and reproduction of herbivores and the number of herbivores that a unit of habitat can support [1]. Therefore, accurately assessing forage resources requires assessing both the quality and quantity of forage and is necessary for evaluating habitat quality and the effects of habitat changes. One method that combines quality and quantity of forage to determine how much vegetation biomass ungulates can actually use is the Forage Resource Evaluation System for Habitats (FRESH) model. The FRESH-model uses linear programming to find the maximum biomass that, taken together, meets a minimum specified nutritional requirement (i.e., useable biomass, kg/ha) [2]. Because measuring quantity and quality of forage across landscapes is time- and resource-intensive, we examined the effect of using prior knowledge of diet selection and reducing resolution of plant sampling on estimating useable biomass for Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) in the Pacific Northwestern United States. We calculated useable biomass for 98 sites that varied greatly in composition and amount of understory vegetation using two different scenarios and compared the resulting useable biomass estimates. In one scenario, we accounted for knowledge about what foraging deer will eat and separated stems and leaves of important plant groups and limited use of plants with plant secondary compounds known to limit intake. In the second scenario, we did not account for a priori knowledge of what deer would select and combined plant parts.
On average, useable biomass calculated accounting for deer knowledge was higher than useable biomass calculated with no knowledge of deer diets (paired t-test, t97 = 4.57, p

AUTHORS: Gael A. Sanchez, Randall W. DeYoung, Damon L. Williford, David G. Hewitt, Timothy E. Fulbright and Humberto Perotto-Baldivideo – Texas A&M University-Kingsville; Louis A. Harveson, Sul Ross State University; Shawn S. Gray, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

ABSTRACT: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was discovered in North American cervids in 1980 and has become a major management concern in the following decades. This disease has spread throughout the country and entered Texas through the Hueco Mountain range in 2012. The disease has reduced survival rates within herds of wild and captive cervids up to 30%, which has influenced the economic and ecological well-being of many areas. Management has focused on containment of CWD as the most viable and economically efficient option. Landscape genetics is an emerging field that could play a large role in understanding the potential spread of diseases. The influence of landscape features on movements and dispersal of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) can inform managers how this disease may spread across the landscape in coming years. Tissue samples have been collected from 2100 deer at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department CWD check stations across the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions of Texas to analyze genetic relationships. Results so far show statistically significant but low levels of population structuring, suggesting high dispersal rates. The combination of genetic and landscape data provides a powerful tool in predict the movement of CWD within Texas. Understanding dispersal routes and the possibility of environmental barriers will inform future management decisions throughout the state.

AUTHORS: Santiago Gomez. Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Universidad de Cádiz, Spain; Pablo Gambin and Jamil Cappelli, Animal Science Techniques Applied to Wildlife Management Research Group, Instituto Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain; Salvador Luna, Departamento de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de Cádiz, Spain; Andrés Garcia, Martina Perez-Serrano, Laureano Gallego, and Tomás Landete-Castillejos – Animal Science Techniques Applied to Wildlife Management Research Group, Instituto Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain

ABSTRACT: Deer antler is an external cranial appendage constituted by a primary bone that is dead and dry [1]. As bone tissue, the antler has some outstanding mechanical properties. In fact, the antler has higher toughness and impact energy than other bones of skeleton (i.e., femur) that make it difficult to break and appropriate for fights among males [1]. The objective of this work was to evaluate the microhardness, the Calcium (Ca) content, and the mineralization sequence of antler compared with femur. Three antlers from adults and one femur from a yearling were used. Microhardness was determined by Vickers microindentation (IndentaMet 11100, Buehler) using a load of 25 g/10s applied on the polished surface of samples embedded in plastic. Microstructure was studied in mineralized sections, 100 μm-thick, by circularly polarization microscopy (maps of collagen orientation in false color) and in stained sections. The Ca content (g/100 g) was analysed by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP). Mineralization sequence was determined injecting 5 mg of calcein per kg of body weight at day 117 of the antler development, (following protocol as in [2]). Subsequently, growth marks present in the mineralized sections were examined by epifluorescence microscopy and the time elapsed between the beginning of primary osteons formation and the velvet shedding was calculated. The micro-hardness is much lower in the antlers compared to the femur (48%), and also the calcium content (70%). For the same antler, both values decreased in the proximal-distal direction according to the mineralization sequence [2]. The microarchitecture of antler differed markedly from that of the femur (fibrolamellar bone), it consists of two types of bone tissue (woven and lamellar bone) that link together to form a compact bone. It can be concluded that the microhardness of the antler is much lower than that of femur. Since the microhardness represents a mechanical property related to the maximum elastic load of a material and, in the bone, with the Ca content, it is noted that the exceptional mechanical properties of antler are based on its microstructure, its low mineralization, and its cement (non-collagenous organic matrix).

AUTHORS: László Sugár, Department of Game Biology and Ethology, Kaposvár University

ABSTRACT: As a child I spent every summer in a village at my grandparents enjoying the great variety of domestic animals and wildlife including roe deer. I first decided to become a vet at about the age of ten. At university I pursued studies concerning wildlife. Then in 1972 I got a job at the new Game Biology Station nearby to Budapest. As a vet my main interest was primarily on parasites. Nevertheless my favorite animals were deer from the beginning: the native red deer and roe deer as well as fallow deer, what was introduced to Hungary around the 15th century. I started to collect as much information as possible, especially reproduction and general health status to understand the impact of parasites in deer species.

In 1982 I gained employment at the Agricultural College, Kaposvár, when I began to monitor and study red deer of Somogy county.

In connection with the research activity I tried to take every opportunity to learn and share ideas and experiences especially at conferences like the Congress of the International Union of Game Biologists (IUGB). I interacted with many scientists including just a few names: Anton and George Bubenik (Canada), Norma Chapman (GB), Hermann Ellenberg and Rudolf. R. Hofmann (Germany).

I think it is time to put my experiences on paper about my favorite world: the familiar atmosphere of the IDBC.

1. Capturing Somogy red deer for NZ
On a midsummer day 1983 one well known New Zealand (NZ) deer farmer Bernard Pinney visited Kaposvár, the center of the Somogy Forestry Company. The aim was to discuss the possibilities of capturing feral red deer (Cervus elaphus) for export to New Zealand. Somogy county red deer were chosen after evaluating the antler characteristics observed on international trophy shows: Somogy stags' antlers beside the good measurements (length and diameter of the beam) also showed just 3-4 (not too many) but long and thick branches in the coronet compared to those of other good quality populations in Hungary/Europe. (Note that that the optimal time for cutting velvet antler for the traditional Chinese market is just before the branching of the coronet, which is ~60 days after shedding the old antler.) After discussions the decision was made: to capture live deer of both sexes undergo local quarantine and then transport to NZ via England. After two winters of successful captures about 120 were transported to the new home.

To illustrate the reputation of these deer in NZ, two stags born in Hungary were sold at auctions for record prices in the early 90-s: Kapos - $100,000 NZ, later Magyar (Hungarian) - $120,000 NZ.

2. Proceedings of the Deer Biology Conference NZ
In 1995 one of the New Zealand visitors gave me a brand new copy of the "Biology of Deer Production": The Proceedings of an International Conference held at Dunedin NZ 13-18 February 1983. This book served as a bible for our deer research group for many years.

3. IUGB Congress in Krakow, Poland 1987
In 1986 while perusing the 18th Congress of the International Union of Game Biologists (IUGB), I came upon the "Deer Farming" session held by Peter Fennessy (Invermay, NZ). This gave me an idea. Why not invite him to visit Kaposvár to discuss on our plan to hold a second congress on the "Biology of Deer" in the future. I have shared the idea with our university leader, Prof. Peter Horn, who agreed. Soon we sent a letter to Peter Fennessy. In the response he apologized for not being able to attend but Colin Mackintosh form Invermay, New Zealand would be attending. We met at the IUGB Congress in Krakow in 1987 and spent several days together at the post-congress tour to Popielno to see Prof. Z. Jacewski's famous deer research unit (antler physiology).During the 3 day tour I also spent a lot of time with Whitley Otway (NZ), a physician educated in traditional Korean medicine, as one of the founders of the NZ Deer Farmers Association. I spent an unforgettable time visiting him in 1988: seeing the wonderful Mesopotamian fallow deer and watching the intrauterine fertilization of red deer hinds with Père David’s deer semen for the successful hybridization.

Some days later Colin arrived in Hungary. Visiting our campus and deer farm he accepted that our university would be a good host of the deer congress somewhat later.

4. Letter from Prof. Robert Brown
But our envisaged program would not be fulfilled immediately. Soon a letter arrived from Mississippi. Prof. Robert Brown wrote that had received a sponsorship offer: if they organize an international congress on the biology of deer they could get 30 thousand USD. He was interested in holding the second congress in Starkville (Mississippi, USA) instead of Kaposvár, if it suited everyone.

Our deer research team accepted the proposal, stressing our intention to organize the following conference in Kaposvár.

5. The newer congresses
2nd International Conference on the Biology of Deer, 28 May – 1 June, 1990, Starkville, MS, USA
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee: Robert D. Brown
3rd International Conference on the Biology of Deer, 28 August – 2 September, 1994. Edinburgh, Scotland
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee: John Milne
(Then in Edinburgh we were given the task to organize the next one in Hungary)
The new name of the congress
For the preparation of the congress, I was fortunate that e-mail had become the mean tool of communication by then making our task much easier and effective. We exchanged e-mails frequently, sometimes daily with Ken Drew (the chairman of the Scientific Steering Committee), discussing on the session topics, plenary speakers, and the most suitable schedule. It was not easy sometimes because the second World Deer Congress was also organized in the same summer (Limerick, Ireland; June 1998).
After a lot brain-storming I have put forward the idea to change the name of the congress to 4th International Deer Biology Congress. And Ken accepted it.
4th International Deer Biology Congress, June 30 - July 4, 1998, Kaposvár, Hungary.
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee: László Sugár
5th International Deer Biology Congress, 25-30 August, 2002. Quebec City, Canada
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee: Michele Créte
6th International Deer Biology Congress, 7-11 August, 2006. Prague, Czech Republic
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee: Ludek Bartos
7th International Deer Biology Congress, 1-6 August, 2010. Huilo-Huilo, Chile
Local Organizing Committee: Werner Flueck, Alexandra Petermann and Jo Anne Smith
And now Harbin is coming:
8th International Deer Biology Congress, July 27-31, 2014, Harbin, China
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee: Zhi Xiaoliang
And why was China chosen as the next site?
The cradle of the deer is somewhere here too without doubt. Think of the existing unique antlerless forms: musk deer, Chinese water deer or others like muntjac and Père David's deer (milu). After the early differentiation, ancient deer started to disperse to west and east, north and south. Moving eastward they walked though the Bering land bridge to Alaska, other parts of North America, and slowly down-down to the Tierra del Fuego - Argentina, and Chile...
On the way they were followed by predators and parasites resulting in further differentiation due to co-adaptation, and co-evolution. And now we see the result: the colorful diversity. Amazing...!
We all have to help preserve of this Deer World. The IDBC congresses help us a lot!

AUTHORS: Kate J. Griffiths, Kevin E. Lawrence, Ian Scott, William E. Pomroy – School of Veterinary Science, Massey University

ABSTRACT: Anthelmintic resistance has become an issue in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) in New Zealand. The main focus of control when the industry started in the 1970s was for lungworm Dictyocaulus eckerti [1]. At that time, it was considered that gastrointestinal nematodes were of secondary concern, and were controlled by the treatments given for lungworm. Since their release onto the market in the 1980s, control has largely relied on use of macrocyclic lactones (MLs) [2]. Early research indicated that levamisole was not highly effective against lungworm [3], and whilst benzimidazoles were used this declined after the release of the MLs. In recent years, there has been growing evidence that gastrointestinal nematodes are important [4] and that commonly used anthelmintics were no longer as effective as previously observed [1, 5]. On this farm, there is a history of resistance to the MLs by Ostertagia leptospicularis and Spiculopteragia asymmetrica [5]. The anthelmintic that had been used in young deer during the year in question was a combination of abamectin and oxfendazole but there was some doubt as to its efficacy, which prompted this particular study. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Zolvix Plus® (monepantel + abamectin) and a combination of abamectin with oxfendazole using a faecal egg count reduction test combined with larval cultures.
Animals were rising one-year-old red deer with a mean weight of 65kg (range 50kg to 78kg) and of both sexes. These deer were pasture grazed. They were arbitrarily allocated into two groups. Faecal samples were collected, then one group (n=24) was treated with Zolvix Plus® (2.5mg/kg monepantel, 0.2mg/kg abamectin) and the other group (n=19) with two separate treatments given at the same time being abamectin (0.2mg/kg; Mectin Drench for Sheep®) and then oxfendazole (9mg/kg; Bomatak C®). All samples were subject to a modified McMaster egg count where each counted represents 50 eggs/g. Faeces were also cultured by mixing with vermiculite and incubating for at least 14 days. In addition, a modified Baermann procedure was conducted to count the number of lungworm larvae. Post treatment samples were obtained 14 days later and subject to the same tests.
Faecal egg counts were allocated to genera based on larval morphology. However, as it was not possible to separately identify between those larvae of Ostertagia leptospicularis, Spiculopteragia spiculoptera and Spiculopteragia asymmetrica they were included together as Ostertagia-type and their efficacy calculated the same way. The efficacy against Ostertagia-type parasites was 87% for Zolvix Plus® and 65% for the abamectin and oxfendazole combination. Both were highly efficacious against Dictyocaulus with no larvae found in the post-treatment samples. The commonly defined definition of anthelmintic resistance is 95% reduction in faecal egg counts. Neither treatment was found to achieve this level of efficacy. These findings indicated that further work is required to determine if an appropriate dose of Zolvix Plus® can be determined for use in deer.

AUTHORS: Werner T. Flueck, National Council of Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires; Argentine National Park Administration, Bariloche, Argentina; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University Basel; Jo Anne M. Smith-Flueck, Laboratorio de Teriogenología "Dr. Héctor H. Morello", Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Univ. Nac. Comahue, Cinco Saltos; DeerLab

ABSTRACT: There remain only 350 - 500 huemul in Argentina, fragmented into some 50 subpopulations along 1,850 km of Andean mountains. No groups are documented to be recovering, rather the process of local extinctions is continuing. The difficult accessibility to remote locations of extant huemul has hindered research; thus, only in 2016 was a first female captured and marked, with six more being marked in 2017. [1] Evaluations of intact cases, besides the 7 marked deer, were based on a few animals that died soon after confinement or were found freshly dead. Although few, these examined animals could serve as highly valuable case studies to reveal important sanitary issues. Instead, a high incidence of misdiagnosing the health status raises the question about what strategies to consider in order to minimize these diagnostic errors and consequential inappropriate treatments, and thereby reduce any unfavorable consequences. Here we present several cases involving misdiagnoses, then add our corresponding alternative interpretations. Case 1: a female found in a delicate state and taken to a pen for veterinary supervision died soon after. Based on a subsequent necropsy, it was reported that she likely died from intoxication from plant consumption (Astragalus sp.). However, our subsequent analyses showed clear signs of osteopathological processes in the mandibular and maxillary bones, and moreover, columnar and appendicular lesions. Additionally, bone fluoride levels reached 2209 ppm, explaining the lesions resembling fluorosis, most likely explained by the high fluoride concentrations in volcanic ashes deposited from the 2008 eruption of Mt. Chaitén. Case 2: a male in the same region was found in a delicate state and taken to a pen for supervision. He died soon after. The veterinarians who performed the necropsy did not report any health problems. However, our subsequent analyses also showed this second case to have clear signs of osteopathological processes in the column, and in vivo photos clearly show an affected mandibula (park bureaucracy has not yet allowed an evaluation of the skull). This deer also had very high bone fluoride levels, even reaching 2979 ppm. Case 3: a male from another region was cornered by dogs in the evening, then roped and attached to a post by the farmer. Authorities, who were contacted, arrived in the afternoon of the next day. After sedation, the male was evaluated by veterinarians. Considered healthy, he was thus translocated to another site nearby for release, where he died shortly after, not recovering from the drug. Although the carcass was initially left at the site of death, it was later removed and buried elsewhere. In contrast to the veterinarian report, the subsequent recovery and necropsy of the carcass revealed skeletal health issues, particularly severe in the mandible and maxilla. Case 4: a female in another region, immobilized to be marked, was evaluated by a team of veterinarians. The animal was considered healthy and apt for release. However, photos of the animal before capture, during immobilization, and later after her release indicate that she had a swelling on the left mandibular site. These types of swellings frequently indicate underlaying osteopathological processes. Case 5: a population in Chile was recently evaluated for the status of the trace mineral selenium (Se). Given the samples with values below the detection limit were removed from analysis, the population was considered to have adequate Se levels. However, when all values were included, a re-analysis determined that at least 75% of the values were indeed in the deficiency range. [2] Moreover, that population was shown to have numerous cases of advanced osteopathology compatible with Se deficiency. [3] The prevalence of this osteological disease pattern has been shown to be at least 57% in remains of dead adult huemul, and 86% among recently examined live adults. Additionally, the impact from volcanic ashes containing high amounts of fluoride also has been described for livestock and other wild ungulates. [4] Reducing diagnostic errors is an important goal because of its associated morbidity and potential preventability. [5] These repeated cases of diagnostic errors reported here are nontrivial given the few opportunities to evaluate live specimens of this highly endangered species. Aftermaths of failed diagnosis include a reduced life expectancy, when the alternative could be to take a debilitated individual to a rehabilitation center. Furthermore, at the current precarious state of this species, individuals under controlled conditions can provide useful opportunities to answer numerous research questions. Given the repeated evidence of osteopathology occurring in huemul over a broad geographical range and the high prevalence found in both dead and live huemul, it is essential that live huemul be examined utmost professionally. Special attention must be given to the hitherto described pathophysiognomy among huemul, which requires a thorough inspection of the oral cavity.

AUTHORS: Jo Anne M. Smith-Flueck, Laboratorio de Teriogenología, “Dr. Héctor H. Morello” Facultad Ciencias Agrarias-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Cinco Saltos, Río Negro, Argentina; Werner T. Flueck, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Río Negro, Argentina; Laura B. Borrelli, Laboratorio Microhistología, Instituto Nacional Tecnología Agropecuaria, EEA, Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina

ABSTRACT: Even though only 350-500 Patagonian huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) remain in Argentina, information on their population ecology and dynamics is severely lacking. For the first time, radio-telemetry collars were placed on a group of huemul in Argentina to better understand the factors behind the population’s failure to recover. Six adult huemul (3 of each gender) were captured during the winter of 2017 at Shoonem Protected Park, Chubut province. Physical examinations of these six during the capture, plus a necropsy of a fresh female carcass found under a fallen tree, revealed all to be under 5 years of age, yet 86% with clinical pathophysiognomies [1] (Flueck & Smith-Flueck 2017), which included lameness, an affected hoof, and exfoliation of from 2-7 incisor teeth. Skeletal remains collected between 1993 and 2007 from this same population had already revealed a high prevalence of osteopathology [2](Flueck & Smith 2008), with at least 57% of the adults affected, with lesions of the mandibula (63%), maxillary (100%), and appendices (78%). Many of those mandibles were found lacking incisors and we attributed this to the natural decomposition process of skeletal remains, since single conical roots have little hold in the alveoli. Only now, through these live marked huemul, do we realize that the absence of incisors on those carcasses might have actually occurred before the animals’ died. Additionally, there is some preliminary evidence that this tooth-loss syndrome (TLS) might be a common phenomenon throughout other parts of the huemul’s distributional range. For example, aware of the discovery of TLS in Shoonem Protected Park, Chilean veterinarians, while treating abscesses on a male huemul in the wild in February of 2018, checked the oral cavity to discover that some of his incisors were also lacking. Moreover, he was thin and in poor physical condition [3]. In our study at Shoonem Protected Park, 5 of the 7 animals were missing teeth [1]. The worst case (Huemul #1), a young male of an estimated 4-5 years of age, had only one full incisor tooth remaining (Figure 1) at the winter capture, at which time palpation of the spine revealed a progressive stage of muscular atrophy. These would be animals for a rehabilitation center, would such a center be available [4]. But instead, as they are left to fend for themselves in the wild, we are concerned about their foraging efficiency. Limited by their disability, some type of modification to their feeding behavior must have occurred, which ultimately could affect the quality and quantity of aliments consumed. To determine if the diet of these tooth-lacking huemul is affected, we collected fresh fecal droppings from Huemul #1 in January, 2018 (summer). These feces were unusual in shape, texture, moisture and content, and not at all similar to average huemul pellets. Instead, the fecal matter appeared more like that of a horse or wild boar, and contained a bit of undigested fibers. Additionally, we collected fresh pellets from two other adult huemul in the same habitat type during the same week of fieldwork; these appeared more like normal deer feces, and from the size, also from males. After air-drying the specimens, plant content was determined using microhistological analysis [5,6] at the Instituto Nacional Tecnología Agropecuaria. The plant content of these samples is being compared with that of fecal pellets (n= 12) collected in the summer of 1999 in the same habitat at the same study area [7]. The 1999 samples showed huemul to be predominantly browse feeders, with woody species and forbs comprising 71.8% and 27.2% of the diet, respectively. The main two woody species in the diet were Maitenus disticha and Gaultheria spp., which comprised 54.4% and 8.4% of the diet, respectively. Given the rigid-textured, tiny leaves (5-15 mm in length) of these woody species, we do not expect this male huemul with TLS to be able to consume these types of plants, neither with help from the tongue. Normally deer press their bottom incisive teeth upon the upper dental pad to grab, pull and remove leaves from shrubs and forbs. Instead, we assume individuals with severe TLS, such as this male, might be forced to eat more tender plant material, such as forbs (those that predominated in the 1999 samples: Osmorhiza chilensis, Adenocaulen chilensis, and Rosaceae spp.), or instead focus on a completely different diet, perhaps foraging on aquatic species growing at the lake’s edge. During the winter capture, huemul were seen feeding on some submerged vegetation. We predict that this male with only 1 remaining incisive tooth has modified his diet to that of forbs over woody plants. Data from the three deer samples collected in January of 2018 will soon be ready for analysis and the results will be described and discussed in this presentation.

AUTHORS: WAFWA Mule Deer Working Group, WAFWA Headquarters, Boise, ID; presented by Orrin Duvuvuei, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Santa Fe, NM

ABSTRACT: The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) established the Mule Deer Working Group (MDWG) in 1997 to address common management issues facing black-tailed and mule deer (collectively called mule deer) and to optimize cooperative research and management. The MDWG consists of a representative from all 23 western mule deer states and provinces and it was designed to (1) develop strategies to assist in management of declining mule deer populations, (2) improve communication among mule deer biologists, and (3) provide a forum to respond to information needs from agency administrations. Additionally, the group attempts to bridge the communication gap between agencies, universities, nongovernmental organizations, and citizens interested in mule deer. The group’s range-wide approach to conservation better equips mule deer biologists to face new challenges with a wider body of knowledge, helps natural resource administrators make science-based decisions, and provides up-to-date and accurate information to stakeholders.

Since inception, the MDWG has been successfully addressing concerns about mule deer that are shared among wildlife agencies in western North America. The many accomplishments of the MDWG include: a book summarizing the current knowledge, challenges, and opportunities for the important issues identified by leading mule deer experts (Mule Deer Conservation: Issues and Management Strategies 2003), a popularized version of this book for easy reading by non-biologists (Mule Deer: Changing Landscapes, Changing Perspectives), the North American Mule Deer Conservation Plan, Mule Deer Habitat Guidelines for 7 North American ecoregions, Energy Development Guidelines for Mule Deer, Methods for Monitoring Mule Deer Populations, Range-wide Status of Black-tailed and Mule Deer, Mule Deer Movement and Barriers, and a growing collection of 22 Fact Sheets addressing the most important issues facing mule deer today. The MDWG also collaborated with the WAFWA Wildlife Health Committee to publish 2 documents that address mule deer management in the face of major health concerns (Consideration of Disease Risks in Translocation of Deer by Wildlife Management Agencies and Recommendations for Adaptive Management of Chronic Wasting Disease in the West). In addition to the many published documents, the group is currently coordinating workshops to teach western state biologists how to use advanced statistical methodology to analyze GPS movement and migration data for rangewide planning and conservation decisions.

This is an opportunity to learn what the MDWG has been up to and become familiar with the tools available to help you conserve the most important member of Cervidae. All of these products are available at: www.muledeerworkinggroup.com.