Strategies for management of introduced red deer in Patagonia considering sensitive native species and habitat

FLUCK, WT; SMITH-FLUECK, JM; RÜEGG, KA

Costa Rica

Congreso; First International Wildlife Management Congress; 1993

The Wildlife Society

Cervus elaphus were introduced to Argentina and now occur between 39̊S and 45̊S. However, they may spread another 500 km north, and south to Fireland. Active reforestation is altering habitat structure and will facilitate further dispersal by deer. Red deer occur in dense rain forests, ecotone, and steppe, where they have been shown to impact plant communities. It is not known if they compete with native cervids or camelids. A comprehensive management concept is lacking. There is no information related to ecology, pathology and parasitism, harvesting, forestry design, interactions with livestock, socioeconomics, and politics. Furthermore, uncontrolled translocations and high deer densities generate sanitary risks. Most important is to maintain deer densities low, particularly in National Parks.