DEER
There are six species of deer in the UK, the Red Deer and the Roe Deer being the truly native species.
The males are known as bucks or stags and the females hinds or does.
Red Deer are the largest with adult stags weighing 90-190Kg and standing 107-137cm at the shoulder.
They are reddish brown to brown in colour during the summer months and brown to grey in the winter.
Roe Deer adult males weigh 10-25Kg and are 60-75cm high at the shoulder.
Their coats are reddish brown in summer and grey/pale brown in winter.
Fallow Deer adult males weigh 46-94Kg and are 84-94cm at the shoulder.
They are commonly tan/fawn with white spotting, greying in winter.
Muntjac Deer are mainly seen in South and Central England & Wales. They are quite small, males standing
at 44-52cm at the shoulder and weighing 10-18Kg. Their coats are russet brown in summer and grey/brown
in winter. They have large facial glands below the eyes and short antlers.
Sika Deer are reddish brown to yellow brown with a dark dorsal stripe surrounded by white spots in
summer. They have a very distinct white gland on the hind leg. The males weigh in at 40-70Kg and stand
70-95cm at the shoulder.
Chinese Water Deer are currently found in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk with a few scattered
sitings elsewhere. Males stand 50-55cm at the shoulder and weigh 11-18Kg.
Road traffic accidents (RTA's) are a huge problem for deer, inflicting horrendous injuries. Deer often being
left in a ditch on the roadside to suffer and die slowly. Please - if you hit a deer, or see one hit by a vehicle
report it to the Police straightaway. They will be able to call out the nearest expert to alleviate any
further suffering to the animal and manage the traffic situation.
A recent survey by the Highways Agency estimated that between 30,000 and 50,000 deer are killed annually
in traffic collisions in the UK.
Other injuries are caused by dog attacks. These injuries can be very serious and the incident should be
reported even if the deer runs off.
Deer often become entangled in wire fences and other material, especially around their antlers. These need
careful treatment as they can inflict serious injuries to their rescuers as they are thrashing about.
WHO TO CONTACT
Police
They may have a local Wildlife Officer available
Veterinary Suregon
Deer Sanctuary/Deer Stalker
National Trust/Forestry Commission
when an injured deer is found on their land
lines open 24 hrs
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