The Estimation of a Red Deer Population Density based on Pellet Counts

Authors: İdris OĞURLU

Abstract: Based on Batcheler's nearest-neighbour distance technique, an estimated 177±14 deer were present on about 90 km^2 large survey area in Çatacık in 1991, with an average density of 2.01/km^2. The study area was divided into six altitude and vegetation strata for the analysis. Disappearance rates varied between 0.175±0.23 and 0.230±0.044 with an average of 0.194±0.014 groups/day. Although there were no significant differences among the disappearance rates of most survey units, observed different pellet-group densities are thought to be the result of habitat differences among the units. The first application of Batcheler's technique in Turkey showed that this method appear to be adequate for current purposes of estimating red deer population densities in their main ranges. Further surveys will be required to monitor the trends and to manage red deer in ‚atacİk forest.

Keywords: Red deer (Cervus elaphus L.); population density; nearest-neigbour distance technique; Çatacık-Turkey