PHYSICAL CONDITION OF RED DEER IN A HIGH-DENSITY POPULATION

Physical condition in a living at high density (120 individuals/1000 h a of forest area) red deer Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758 population wa s studied by determining: dressed body weight, kidney fat index (KFI) and amount of visceral fat in 628 animals. Antler weights were also co nsidered as condition index of stags. The mean body weight of calves o f both sexes was identical, ie 38.0 kg, that of hinds fluctuated from 57.8 to 75.1 kg, stags - from 63.2 to 132.4 kg depending upon age. The KFI value for female and male calves, hinds, and stags at various age amounted respectively to: 1.54, 1.36, 1.60-1.76, and 1.17-2.69. Per c ent of individuals with great amount of visceral fat amounted: in fema le calves - to 39.4, in male calves - 33.3, in hinds - 47.6-66.7, and in stags - 20.0-100.0% depending upon age. Maximum weight of antlers w as 4.2 kg. Despite high population density animals indicated generally good physical condition. Except that the condition of calves of both sexes has been maintained at a similar level, what evidenced an inferi or condition of males during their growth. Males in contrast to female s, reveal serious decline of condition following the rut, during autum n and winter. It was related to stag age and most marked in the animal s of the oldest age-classes (no less than by 40%). Factors affecting t he condition of red deer in their population from the Slowinski Nation al Park were discussed.