Assessment of the
release program of the European Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus (Cetartiodactyla:Cervidae) at Ajloun Nature
Reserve, Jordan
Ehab Khalil Eid 1 & Yaseen Ananbeh 2
1,2 The
Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, P. O. Box 1215, Al Jubeiha, 11941 Jordan
Email: ehab@rscn.org.jo, eha_jo@yahoo.com 1
Date of online publication 26
June 2009
ISSN 0974-7907 (online) |
0974-7893 (print)
Editor: Pritpal Soorae
Manuscript details:
Ms # o2103
Received 04 December 2008
Final received 13 May 2009
Finally accepted 08 June 2009
Citation: Eid, E.K. & Y. Ananbeh(2009). Assessment of the release program of the European Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus(Cetartiodactyla: Cervidae)
at Ajloun Nature Reserve, Jordan. Journal of
Threatened Taxa 1(6): 323-326.
Copyright: © Ehab Khalil Eid& Yaseen Ananbeh 2009.
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium
for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate
credit to the authors and the source of publication.
Author Details: Mr. Ehab Eidobtained his B.Sc degree in biological science from
the University of Jordan in 2001. After his graduation, he worked for three years
and a half at the Marine Science Station as a research assistant and engaged in
studying the marine wildlife of the Gulf of Aqaba. He then moved to work at the
Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) headquarteras fauna research team leader. He is currently involved in the Masters degree program in conservation, access and management of
species in trade; the international framework at the International University
of Andalucía, Spain. Mr. Yaseen Ananbehcompleted his B.Sc. Degree in Agricultural Science from Jordan University for
Science and Technology. Now he is working at AjlounNature Reserve as site ecologist. He is enrolled in several research programs
inside the Reserve.
Author Contribution: Both have equal
contribution in the fieldwork preparation and data collecting. In addition, EKE
has prepared this manuscript.
Acknowledgements: The authors are
grateful to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) represented
by its General Director Mr. Yahia Khalid, Mr.
Mohammad Yousef, Conservation Director; Mr. Naser Abasi, Ajloun Nature Reserve
Manager; and Enas Sakkejjha,
Research and Survey Head Section for their continuous help and support.
Gratitude’s are extended to Mrs. Natalia Boulad and
Mrs. Yasmine Hajeer, GIS and database officers, RSCN for preparing the required map.
Thanks are extended to all people
who contributed to the release program at AjlounNature Reserve. Finally, this paper is extended to the memory of Mr. Mohammad Khatatbeh, who had participated in the program since its
inception and until end and had a major role in its success.
Abstract: Abstract:The release program of European Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus was launched in 1989 when the Royal
Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) received a donation of four
individuals (two males and two females) from Turkish-Bulgarian border. The aim
of the program was to establish a viable population in the former habitat of
the species. The program was ongoing for almost 18 years at AjlounForest Reserve. On 19 January 2006, 26 individuals (11 males and 15 females)
were released in the reserve. After collecting information relatingto the breeding and release program, a rapid assessment survey
was conducted during August and September 2007. Based on visual census, spoor
routes, opportunistic observations and interviews method, a distribution map
was produced and it was found that the released population had dispersed inside
the reserve. Occasionally, they were found to have wandered outside the
reserve, where they used surrounding vineyardsfor feeding and resting; a total of four individuals of two males and two
females were counted. The RSCN has succeeded in establishing a free viable
population, in its natural habitat, using effective long-term on-site
management. It would be recommendable to establish a socio-economic program,
and ongoing outreachprograms in order to raise the awareness of the importance of protecting
endangered species, and secure continuous funding. afurther recommendation would be to provide training in deer management for the
ecologist and further staff on the reserve and to implement a monitoring
program for the released herd in order to insure the success of the
reintroduction program.
Keywords: Ajloun Nature Reserve, European Roe Deer,
Jordan, Re-introduction, RSCN.
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Introduction
The European Roe Deer Capreolus capreolusoccurs in the Palaearctic region from Britain to the
Iberian Peninsula, Scandinavia, Poland, Western former USSR countries, Siberia
east to the Sea of Japan, Manchuria, parts of China and Korea. It is also found
in Transcaucasia, Asia Minor and Iran (Harrison et al. 1991). In Arabia, it was found in the forested
mountainous ranges of the northern part of the region. Hatt(1959) considered it to be very rare in Iraq and noted that Reed (in litt.,1954) found them surviving on Harir Dagh and in the mountains round Mergasor.
In Syria, it occurred in the bush-clad hills west of Allepo(Carruthers 1909) and in the mountains east of Latakia (Talbot 1906). Tristram (1866) found it in the bare hilly
country between Tyre and Lake Galilee (Carruthers 1909). It
seems reasonable to assume that it has now completely disappeared from most, if
not all, of its former range in Arabia (Harrison & Bates 1991).
European Roe Deer inhabited the
forested regions in northern Jordan valley and in the hills of northern
Palestine (Carruthers 1909). It, most probably, disappeared from Jordan at
the beginning of the 19th century (Amr2000). Harrison (1968) state that the
most important reason for its declining numbers was deforestation. Harrison
& Bates (1991) indicate that the virtual extinction of the Roe Deer from
Arabia is in part due to increased hunting pressure and in part to the
deforestation in its former habitat.
During 1989, The Royal Society
for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) received four individuals of Roe Deer
(two males and two females) from the Turkish-Bulgarian border as a
donation. The captive breeding program
starts in 0.02km² enclosure at the ZubiyaNature Reserve. In August 2000, 14
individuals of equal numbers of males and females were transferred to Ajloun Forest Reserve (ANR) which has the same vegetation
type as Zubiya Reserve. Only nine individuals (five males and four
females) survived and were placed into a 0.01km² breeding enclosure. During the breeding program, 25- 40 liters of
water were supplied to the herd daily (around 1.65- 2.65/animal). In addition; 50 kg of feed was supplied daily
(3,4kg/animal) 25 kg at dawn and 25 kg in the evening.
The program at Ajloun Forest Reserve lasted almost 18 years and was aimed
at establishing a viable population of Roe Deer in their former habitat. On 19 January 2006, 26 individuals (11 males
and 15 females) were released in the reserve.
Methods
Study
Area
Ajloun Forest Reserve
is located in the northern part of Jordan (35045’32’’N & 32022’50’’E), with
elevation ranging from 700 to 1050m (RSCN 2005). It was established and managed by the RSCN in
1989 and extends over 12km² of mountainous terrain. The reserve is dominated by
the Evergreen Oak Quercus calliprinos, which is characterized by a maximum height
of 5m and classified as Mediterranean shrub (Al-Eisawi1996). Other associated tree and shrub
species include the Palestinian Pistachio Pistacia palaestina, Strawberry tree Arbutus andrachne, Hawthorn Crataegus azarolus, Buckthorn Rhamnus palaestina, and Deciduous Oak Quercus infectoria (Al-Eisawi1996).
Survey
Rapid assessment survey was
conducted through August and September 2007 with the aim to draw a basic
distribution map, collect data on feeding sources and habits and to assess the
effect of releasing the deer at Ajloun Reserve. The team used the global positioning system
Garmin V with accuracy of ±5m, and the following methods were applied
Desktop
Survey
A detailed desk study of past
reports and documents from the RSCN sections were performed. This information included data on the
breeding and release program.
Field
Survey
A series of targeted visits were
conducted through mid August and early September 2007. During these visits, a visual census was
undertaken with counts in the early morning and at dusk at the four main water
sources and four vantage points. Also, methodical walks (spoor route) to cover
areas ranging from dense to low vegetation cover were undertaken. All signs of
deer were recorded, particularly accumulated droppings, footprints and deer paths. Observations were obtained from opportunistic
sightings of deer at the reserve in addition to observations by rangers and/ or
reserve staff. Lastly, local people and private landowners were interviewed in
order to learn their views about the program and to obtain some feedback on the
released Roe Deer.
Results and Discussion
No results were obtained from
visual censuses due to high disturbance by human activities during summer
season around water springs. Additionally, vantage points were not efficient at Ajloundue to the high percentage crown tree density, which estimated by the forest inventory
during 2006 of (90%). The spoor route method showed that the populations had
spread both in the reserve and also extended outside of the reserve (Fig. 1). All
dropping were found only in areas with low trees density. This is in accordance
to Nowak et al. (1983), who stated that this species avoids thick forest
preferring sparsely wooded valleys and the lower slopes of mountains. No attempt was made to systematically count
all the deer present, or to use methods such as pellet counts (Mayle 1999). Four different individuals (two males and two
females) were observed opportunistically resting in a vineyard located inside
the reserve, and mating was recorded during the survey.
Data collected from the
opportunistic observations and from interviews indicate that the deer prefer to
use vineyard for feeding and resting. The proximity of vineyard inside and
around the reserve means an easy, accessible feeding source for the deer at the
same time protecting the herd by continuous patrolling activities at the site.
It was found that grape leaves are the most palatable food, followed by apple,
apricot and olive leaves, the natural diet of deer in the wild. Kjostvedt et al. (1998) reported that the Roe Deer seems to
assess risk factors in using agricultural crops for feeding. One of the major
threats to the deer population comes from local farmers, who complain about the
deer damaging their crops, although the Wild Boar Sus scrofa is responsible for most damage to private
land and crops at the Ajloun area.
Assessment
of the release program
Several studies conclud that to increase the success of the re-introduction
programs three major factors should be addressed: number of animals released,
monitoring and follow up, and the status of the release site (Beck et al. 1991;
Allen et al. 1993; Bright & Morris 1994; Veltmanet al. 1996).
The main shortcoming of the
release program of Roe Deer at ANR was the little of official records that
would have provided valuable information on mortality, behavior, activity,
reproductive female status, and death factors during the breeding program. A
further disadvantage was the lack of model defining the numbers of years
required to establish a viable population and likewise conditions, optimal
numbers and status of individuals to be released per year. . Moreover, no
detailed study on the effects of the released herd on AjlounForest Reserve was performed, especially the effects of Roe Deer on the general
biodiversity and habitat composition of the area. Finally, the lack of socio-economic programs
has led to several compliance from local people toward
the release program.
On the other hand, the RSCN has
succeeded in many stages of the re-introduction program. The effective long-term management in the
site will contribute to enhancing the conservation of habitat and species and
reducing the main causes that led to the extinction of Roe Deer, also conducting
several outreach programs targeted at different stakeholders and locals. Periodic patrolling plans are accomplished by
the reserve rangers inside and outside the reserve, and by the recent
cooperation between the RSCN and the environmental police “Rangers”. Lastly,
constant monitoring programs, which target habitat and deer population at ANR,
will indeed increase the success of the program and conservation measures.
In conclusion, we find that the
RSCN has partially succeeded in the re-introduction program since it has managed
to establish a viable population living freely in its former natural habitat,
under effective long-term management at the site. However, for complete success to be achieved,
the following recommendations are made: implementation of a socio- economic
program to stakeholder to increase participation and contribution to the
success of the release program. Permanent outreach programs to the local
population make aware of the importance of protecting endangered species; to
secure continued funding for the program; provide training in deer management
for the ecologist and other reserve staff; and to maintain a periodic
monitoring program for the released herd.
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