Drugs and deer farming

Abstract

Extract

From 1860–1903, fifty red deer were liberated in the South Island. During this period wapiti, sambar, sika and fallow deer were also introduced; as with red deer these populations increased rapidly, but did not spread as far from the initial liberation areas as did red deer. Several factors were responsible for the spectacular annual increase including a congenial climate, early maturity, the young breeding age of the female, and no natural enemies.