The effect of the presence of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) hinds on the mother-offspring behaviour of captive wild red deer

Abstract

Behavioural characteristics of the mother-offspring bond were investigated in two groups of 20 wild caught red deer (Cervus elaphus) hinds and their calves. One group (FW) grazed with ten farmed hinds while the other group (W) grazed alone. The duration of suckling was similar in both groups (P>0.05). The wild hinds of the two groups exhibited different behaviour whilst suckling. While calves were less than 21 days old, hinds of Group W licked their calves less often than did hinds of Group FW (P<0.05). Hinds of Group W also spent more of the suckling bout alert (P<0.05). Between Days 31 and 80 the grazing frequency of the calves of Group W was lower (P<0.05). It is concluded that, in a semiintensive farming situation, the behaviour of wild caught hinds and their calves may be modified by the presence of farmed hinds and their calves in a way which helps strengthen the mother-offspring bond. Show more