130925-studie-wildlife-comeback-in-europe

3.7. Roe deer
Capreolus capreolus
Summary
The Roe deer is the most abundant ungulate in
Europe with an almost continuous distribution
across the continent and Great Britain. It is absent
only from the larger islands. The species declined in
abundance and range and became locally extinct
between the Middle Ages and early 20 th century
due to over-exploitation and habitat loss. Various
factors contributed to its recovery, particularly a
shift into open habitat, land use changes resulting
in greater availability of food and habitat, and
reintroductions and translocations.
Background
General information on the species
The Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is the most
abundant wild ungulate in Europe [1] and Asia [2] , with
a near continuous distribution from the west of the
continent to European Russia and the Caucasus [3] . It
normally lives alone or in small groups [4] , and herd
size varies with habitat and season [5] . As an opportunistic
and flexible but also selective feeder [4] ,
the species’ diet varies considerably with season
and habitat [6] . However, herbaceous dicotyledons
and deciduous browse as well as small amounts
of grass and other plants are typically taken [6] .
Although largely crepuscular in its behavior, the
Roe deer can be more diurnal if undisturbed and
during the rut when social behavior changes [5] .
This is also the time when territoriality, which may
be observed all year round, becomes particularly
pronounced [6] . The Roe deer is the only artiodactyl
to show delayed implantation, which occurs in late
December after mating in July or August [5] . Twins
are born after 150 days of gestation [4] , and young
reach sexual maturity at 14 months [5] . The species
has a life expectancy of 7–8 years in the wild, but
can live up to 20 years [5] .
Distribution in Europe
First recorded from the Middle Pleistocene about
600,000 years ago, the Roe deer was present on
most of the European continent during interglacial
and mild glacial periods [4] . During the Last
Glacial Maximum, however, it was forced into
refugia in the Mediterranean and southeastern
Europe [4] , one of which provided the individuals
for recolonisation of western, central and
northern Europe around 9,600 years ago [4] . Roe
deer was abundant throughout Europe and parts
of western Asia historically [2] , but declined in
abundance and range between the 17 th and early
20 th century [7] , mainly due to over-harvesting [4]
and habitat loss, which led to near extinction
in parts of southern Europe [3] . In some regions,
declines occurred even earlier, such as during the
Middle Ages in Great Britain [8] , also the result of
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