NUMBERS OF RED DEER IN THE SLOWINSKI NATIONAL-PARK, POLAND

Density of red deer Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758 had been estimated o n the area of the Slowinski National Park (Poland, at Baltic Sea shore ) from 1990 until 1993. Four research techniques were used: (1) spring observations in open areas adjacent to forest tracts, (2) night obser vations in spot-lights, (3) sample drives, and (4) winter tracking in snow. It was found that the first two underestimate actual deer number s. Density based on driving census amounts to ca 12 ind/km(2) of fores ts and reeds. This high density was confirmed by results of winter tra cking.