Insights into fallow deer population dynamics: Juvenile mortality in Arad County

Dan Cornel Popovici; Narcisa MEDERLE; Ana Maria MARIN; Daniel Iordache; Darius Hardalau; Ovidiu Ionescu

doi:10.15287/afr.2025.4069

Authors

Dan Cornel Popovici Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov
Narcisa MEDERLE Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I" from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Ana Maria MARIN Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I" from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Daniel Iordache Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania
Darius Hardalau Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania
Ovidiu Ionescu Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov and National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry Marin Dracea, Wildlife Department, Bulevardul Eroilor 128, 077190 Voluntari, Romania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15287/afr.2025.4069

Keywords:

fallow deer, mortality rate, age structure

Abstract

The fallow deer (Dama dama) is one of the main species of large herbivores in Romania, with a fluctuating presence over time, particularly during the last century. Population fluctuations have been driven by a combination of factors including climate, habitat quality, interspecific competition, predation, and human activities. While mortality represents a key component in the population dynamics, this study aims to quantify juvenile mortality in fallow deer during their first year of life, representing one of the first investigations of this type conducted in Romania. The study examines juvenile mortality rate in a fallow deer population from the Western Plain of Romania over the period June 2020-May 2021. Population structure was analyzed by age classes, and temporal variation in reproductive performance was evaluated by examining the number of calves per mature female over one year. The results indicate a juvenile mortality rate of approximately 50% during the first year of life. This level of mortality is considered typical for natural habitats supporting free-ranging ungulate populations in the presence of substantial mesocarnivores populations. The age-class structure of female fallow deer, together with the population dynamics of mesocarnivores, particularly the golden jackal (Canis aureus) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), suggests that predation plays a significant role in juvenile mortality within the study area. These findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of reproductive indicators and predator populations to ensure more effective wildlife management strategies.

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