Deer have often been translocated historically; however, their strong impact on ecosystems has become apparent. We review the extent of exotic deer distributions in Chile, with the invasion of red deer (Cervus elaphus) most advanced, and influenced by deer coming from Argentina and establishments of new enclosures. These references serve to make comparisons with future data to evaluate the ongoing invasion and to develop management strategies

Ignorance about endangered Patagonian huemul likely explains the largely unsuccessful recovery efforts. Contrary to heresies, huemul are not mountain deer, they occurred in treeless Patagonia and they were likely to have been an important food source for Paleoindians, particularly once these people had horses. Extant huemul in mountain refuges resulted from post-Columbian changes, and current habitat use is not representative of past use and huemul ecology.

Scarce information from few remaining huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) caused discrepancies between historical and recent interpretations. Impacts from competition, predation, diseases and barriers are overrated; reproductive and dispersal capacity are underrated; yet variability in many traits is common in huemul as in other cervids This may distract from discovering the factors affecting recolonisations, and recovery may depend on re-establishing source populations on more productive habitats.

Mexico has experienced a drastic reduction in vegetation cover, which decreases the habitat available for wildlife. Owing to the importance of the white-tailed deer as natural and economic resource, it is necessary to identify favourable areas for the maintenance of its populations. Human activities in the study area have reduced high quality habitats for deer; conservation and restoration of remnant vegetation are important to preserve the species.

Red deer rutting calls, much studied in native European populations, have not previously been examined in introduced populations elsewhere. Here we characterise rutting calls from wild red deer introduced into Northwestern Patagonia, finding them similar to European deer, except for a higher pitch. This difference may result from hybridisation between the red deer and North American wapiti, known to have occurred before the introduction.

Studies of feeding behaviour and use of food resources by sympatric herbivores are an important requirement for a better understanding of competition mechanisms which are clues in management decisions and conservation. Variations in diet composition and diet overlap were studied in sympatric red and fallow deer throughout a whole year, in a Mediterranean environment, by analysing rumen contents samples. Diet similarity and inter- and intra-specific competition were assessing, obtaining different foraging strategies in both species and sexes.

The velvet antler is very high-value medicine material in China. The aim of this study was to enhance the production of velvet antlers. The main discovery was that dietary protein levels have effects on velvet yield. The results can be used in industry to increase velvet antler production.

In Alaska, reindeer meat is marketed as a premium red meat, so assurance of top-quality is essential. Pelvic suspension of carcasses can improve meat tenderness and this study reported increased tenderness in the most valuable cuts from a reindeer carcass: loin and inside. These results will assist producers, processors and retailers in delivering a consistent high-quality product to the market

Reproductive biology of southern pudu is not well understood. We challenge the hypothesis that delayed implantation may play a role and instead suggest another strategy unique to temperate deer. Pudu appear to be more flexible in optimising offspring production than previously shown, having either two annual reproductive periods or the capacity to extend breeding well beyond the commonly accepted fall-breeding period.

The recovery of spermatozoa from the epididymides of hunted animals represents an accessible source of gametes. The aim was to determine how the post mortem time and storage temperature affect the cryopreservation of bull and red deer epididymal spermatozoa. It was found that 5°C is better than 20°C to obtain well preserved epididymal spermatozoa, and trehalose may be a useful cryoprotectant.

The STRO-1⁺ mesenchymal stem cell population found in pedicles and growing antlers could be one of the most important cell populations responsible for the annual antler re-growth. The article deals with some methodological issues regarding the STRO-1⁺ cell isolation and cultivation. The results might contribute to the mesenchymal stem cell research and the role of STRO-1⁺ cells in a bone regeneration process.

Studying antler density is useful as an index of quality for monitoring stags and/or their environment because it depends on growth, development, percentage of spongy bone, mineral composition and the stag’s condition and age. We validate a new method of cast density determination using a parametric volume-modelling 3D-CAD. This gives us accurate information on whole-antler density, even in a large cast sample. It also allows us to study trophy morphology by creating a virtual model geometrically equivalent to the real antler.

We develop and validate a high-pressure liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) methodology for quantifying a cortisol metabolite (11-ketoetiocholanolone) in faeces of red deer. This technique is capable of detecting small changes in the concentrations of faecal 11-k, well correlated with the cortisol concentration in blood, and allows us an accurate, specific, non-invasive, long-term monitoring technique of stress in wild red deer.

We have analysed serum from a free-living population of red deer and fallow deer to determine the activity of four RAS-regulating aminopeptidases. We detected seasonal variations in these activities that may be related to a different endocrine status according to the physiological annual cycle of both species, suggesting an important role of these peptide hormones in the regulation of these biological processes in the Mediterranean environment.

Invasion of Patagonia by Cervus elaphus has continued for a century, with distribution, mobility and densities presenting epidemiological risks. Surveys revealed some parasites common in coexisting livestock, possible mycobacterial infection, no cases of foot-and-mouth disease, and antler breakage. Compared to red deer, livestock contact with native deer is several-fold higher, dominates disease interactions and thus should be the focus of interventions.

We studied mandibles of red deer from southern Spain in order to assess spatial variations in the occurrence of periodontal disease, enamel defects and bone fluoride levels in two separate populations. Pathologically increased attrition, enamel discolouration or enamel surface lesions seemed not to be caused by fluorosis, so that special care must be taken in using macroscopic lesions instead of fluoride determination as an indicator for monitoring the magnitude of environmental contamination.

The pampas deer is a focal species from the native South American pampas that currently inhabits less than 1% of its past range. In Uruguay, two populations remain in ranches in close contact with livestock. Our objective was to survey and determine the parasitological composition of these deer. Our results clearly showed that pampas deer share parasitic fauna with livestock.