Rutting in red deer (Cervus elaphus L.)-site selection, age and sex structure.

摘要: The breeding season (the rut) is an important part of the life cycle of red deer. The number, age and health status of the participating individuals are the main factors determining the reproductive success of the populations. In Bulgaria there are no published data on the choice of rutting sites, as well as on the sex and age structure of the individuals at the rut. In the present study, by combining GPS telemetry and camera trap data, spatial data on the choice of rutting sites and the age and sex composition of the individuals who visited them were analyzed. We found that the total size of male rut sites varies from 18 to 11455 ha, while their core area (the one they adhere to most of the time) is usually 10 times smaller. Females are less mobile than males during the breeding season. Some males use the same ruts for several consecutive years. For rutting sites, males choose mainly wooded areas, and the main rut …