Maternal-infant relationships in captive Sika deer ( Cervus nippon)

Abstract

The parturient behaviour of 17 Sika deer ( Cervus nippon) was studied at two British zoos. Parturient behaviour was generally similar to that of captive red deer ( Cervus elaphus) with the exception that Sika hinds did not isolate themselves from the herd prior to calving. Duration of parturition differed between the two zoos ( P < 0.05) but was not affected by the presence of zoo visitors. However, two observed instances of maternal rejection appeared to occur as a direct response to human disturbance. Initial neonatal behaviour and subsequent suckling activity at 1, 7 and 14 days of age were recorded for 15 calves. Mean times from birth to initial standing, suckling and hiding were 28 min, 37 min and 279 min, respectively. The mean duration of suckling declined from 504 s (in 6 h) on day 1 to 304 s (in 6 h) on day 14, and the mean number of suckling bouts per hour declined from 4.5 on day 1 to 2.0 on day 14. The presence of zoo visitors significantly reduced mean suckling bout length when calves were 1 day old ( P < 0.01) and increased the likelihood of bout termination by the hind for female calves aged 1 day ( P < 0.01) and for male calves aged 14 days ( P < 0.001). In addition, 1-day-old calves of both sexes were less likely to suck in the usual parallel-reverse position and more likely to suck at right-angles to their mothers in the presence of people.