Breeding of Red Deer (<i>Cervus elaphus</i> L.) in Fenced Controlled Condition of Šeprešhat

Abstract

The controlled breeding of wild game has been carried out for many years as part of hunting management programs for commercially important game species. The controlled breeding of red deer in the Šeprešhat polygon is the result of long-term game management in open hunting grounds, scientific research, monitoring the state of game in hunting grounds, and supply and demand. One of the reasons for controlled breeding of red deer in Croatia is certainly the reduction in population abundance of this species in the majority of hunting grounds after the Homeland War. The second reason was the intended aim of increasing the trophy quality of deer game, due to devastation of the gene fund. Issues such as the appearance of disease and parasites (giant liver fluke) demand controlled breeding and production of a healthy population that will replace the loss of the natural population. Research to monitoring growth intervals, body and trophy development, breeding technology and the justification of this type of breeding and protection of red deer was carried out in parallel with the targeted breeding of red deer. The primary objective of management at the Šeprešhat polygon is the breeding of high quality Baranja red deer, with the possibility of distributing high quality breeding stock to other hunting grounds in the Republic of Croatia. The population of red deer in Baranja has very high genetic potential, and for this reason, it was used earlier in relocations to other parts of Croatia, the neighboring countries, and even to New Zealand. Researching the controlled breeding of red deer was carried out in the period 2005–2009 at the Šeprešhat polygon. The Šeprešhat polygon is part of the state-owned Podunavlje-Podravlje hunting ground in Baranja. Breeding of game in this polygon began in 2001, for the purpose of studying and preserving the gene fund of the red deer. The polygon originally had only 53 ha, but was gradually expanded with the addition of two fields. Therefore, in 2002, it was expanded to 58 hectares and to 66 ha in 2003. Today, the breeding grounds cover an area of 88 ha, additional areas of 56 ha, and in the most recent expansion of an area for the maturation of trophy red deer of 237 ha, resulting in a total area of 380 ha. The analysis of results of the five-year study of controlled game breeding in the Šeprešhat polygon proves that the establishment of breeding grounds was made, given the population dynamics, growth intervals and potential for the sale of live game, as well as the commercial hunting of high quality trophy heads. It should be stressed that the breeding of deer game is a long process and that the first results can only be expected after five years, after the breeding stock is formed and stabilized and normal reproduction begins. The population dynamics of the red deer fund from the start of establishment of the breeding stock to the first significant results of the live game is shown in Table 1. During the five year selection of red deer for mating, only three to four of the most promising male deer (stags) were given the opportunity to mate each year. Each was placed in a separate polygon with fertile females (hinds) including young hinds participating in mating for the first time, in the ratio 1:11 to 1:16, (Table 2). The results indicate that the optimal mating ratio is one stag to ten to twelve hinds. With an increase in the sex ratio, the growth interval coefficient is reduced. This is unfavorable as the goal is to obtain the highest possible calves. One of the main parameters in the selection of young is the weight of the calf at the age of 3 weeks. The minimum level is 10 kg for a female calf and 12 kg for a male calf, as all weights beneath this are unsuitable for further breeding. Measurements also indicated that the highest growth interval of body weight was achieved at the age of 15 to 18 months (Fig. 1). One of the most important segments of maintaining good animal condition, good reproduction and good growth interval is securing sufficient and high quality food throughout the year. Though grass mixtures were sown in the polygon, in effect establishing pastures thereby allowing for the principle of polygon grazing, cultures were sown on additional surfaces to produce food for the game. Nonetheless, the backbone of the diet is the food provided to the game at the feeding sites. In line with the number of game animals in the breeding ground (according to the normative diet and real needs), some 200 tones of various foods, minerals and vitamin supplements were provided each year (Fig. 2 and 3), which represents an expense of HRK 361 000. Feed was the most significant financial expense in the management project, and accounted for 86% of the total breeding ground costs (excluding professional staff salaries and utility expenses) (Fig. 4). With revenues generated by the sale of live game and trophy hunts from the Šeprešhat polygon, a positive balance can only be expected in the coming period, which is indicated by the analysis of operations in 2009, the first year that revenues exceeded expenditures. Based on the research conducted, it can be concluded that the breeding of red deer in the Šeprešhat polygon is justified, as is the conservation of the gene fund of the Baranja red deer and its relocation to other hunting grounds for the purpose of improving trophy quality and for the economic justification of controlled deer breeding.