Current Status of Red and Fallow Deer Populations in Chile:The Need of Management

Abstract

Red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) were introduced in Chile by descendants of German immigrants. The main introductions were carried out in 1926 for fallow deer and between 1948 and 1953 for red deer. Some feral populations descending from these introductions are managed according to a system similar to that currently used in Germany. There are about 700 feral fallow deer on an estimated area of 14 000 ha. About 4200 feral red deer are spread over an estimated area of 340 000 ha. Although in many areas these populations are under management for trophies and are also heavily poached, more intense and generalized management is needed considering the impact they might have on the native fauna and flora, and the potential that they have as a natural renewable resource.