Fallow deer
Dama dama
Danys
 Photo by Rhys Gwynn |
Status:
In Snowdonia they can be found in the Mawddach valley and possibly in the north-east corner of the Park.
Fallow deer, like all deer species in the UK except Muntjac, are protected by The Deer Act 1991 (as amended). This mainly dictates a close season when shooting them is illegal; for Fallow deer bucks this is 1st May – 31st July, and for does 1st April – 31st October. A licence can be applied for to the Welsh Assembly Government to shoot animals within this close season for reasons such as crop protection and road safety. Fallow deer are not currently of conservation concern.
Fallow deer are thought to have been introduced to Britain by the Normans, but were native to most of Europe during the last interglacial period. The feral population is largely due to escapes from deer parks.
They are the most widespread deer species in Britain, being found in most counties in England and Wales, and large populations spread across Scotland. They prefer mixed woodland and open grassland, and graze on grass, herbs, berries, acorns, bark and arable crops if accessible.In Snowdonia they can be found in the Mawddach valley and possibly in the north-east corner of the Park.
Fallow deer, like all deer species in the UK except Muntjac, are protected by The Deer Act 1991 (as amended). This mainly dictates a close season when shooting them is illegal; for Fallow deer bucks this is 1st May – 31st July, and for does 1st April – 31st October. A licence can be applied for to the Welsh Assembly Government to shoot animals within this close season for reasons such as crop protection and road safety. Fallow deer are not currently of conservation concern.
Fallow deer are thought to have been introduced to Britain by the Normans, but were native to most of Europe during the last interglacial period. The feral population is largely due to escapes from deer parks.
They are the most widespread deer species in Britain, being found in most counties in England and Wales, and large populations spread across Scotland. They prefer mixed woodland and open grassland, and graze on grass, herbs, berries, acorns, bark and arable crops if accessible.