Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)
The roe deer is one of four native wild ungulates in Prespa (along with chamois, red deer and wild boar). It is widespread throughout the Balkans, inhabiting a range of habitats; from woodland and grassland to lowland. The animal is mainly threatened by hunting, but also logging, forest fires and construction of new infrastructure.
In an effort to determine roe deer density in Pelister and Galichica NPs, in 2021, PrespaNet conducted a study using camera-traps. The density of male roe deer is estimated at 4 individuals/km2 in both national parks, comparable to the lynx’s stronghold in Mavrovo NP.
Knowing the population density of roe deer can have major implications in defining actions for conserving their predators, such as the endangered Balkan lynx; the roe deer composes the biggest share in the predator’s diet. Consequently, Prespa may well already be a modern safe passage for the Balkan lynx to Greece.
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@euronatur @macedonian.ecological.society @spp_prespa
