FALLOW DEER TACTIC TO COMPETE OVER FOOD WITH RED DEER

Small ungulates may compete with larger species through higher mobilit y, greater aggressiveness, and/or by larger group sizes. We observed a herd of approximately 100 red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 130 fallow de er (Dama dama) at the Zehusice Deer Park during supplemental feeding t o determine whether fallow deer can displace red deer at feeding sites and to describe strategies used for displacement. Data were analyzed during the antlered period (AP) when males of both species had hard an tlers and the cast period (CP) when all red deer stags had cast antler s, but fallow bucks were still in a hard antler. We conducted 41 obser vation sessions, 29 during the AP and 12 during the CP. In both period s red deer were more numerous than fallow deer at the feeding sites. F allow bucks initially waited until red deer arrived at the feeding sit e, after which they attacked any red deer. Fallow bucks were more aggr essive than red deer stags or hinds. When stags retaliated, the bucks turned their attacks toward hinds. During feeding sessions, attacks ag ainst hinds intensified, while bucks avoided encounters with stags. As a result, in most cases (90%), red deer vacated the feeding site befo re the supplementary food was depleted. In contrast, fallow does not c ompete with the larger red deer and selected other sources of food in the park. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.