Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Noor
2
Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NR, United Kingdom. Conservation Biogeography Lab, Department of Geography, Humboldt University of Berlin,
3
Department of wildlife management, Faculty of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (GUASNR),
4
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM), Mashhad
5
Environmental Sci. Dept. Tarbiat Modares University 46417-76489, Noor, IRAN
Abstract
Introduction: The Persian fallow deer, Dama mesopotamica Brooke, 1875, is an endangered species according to the IUCN and is currently limited to captive breeding in Iran. The conservation management program has been relatively effective in some locations but unsuccessful in others, leading to its collapse. Key issues include a limited founder population, inbreeding, purity concerns, and genetic erosion. This study aims to evaluate the conservation program for fallow deer in its primary habitats. We assessed habitat and population conditions, management challenges, conservation strategies, human-induced and environmental threats, and the effectiveness of management measures at captive breeding sites across three provinces: Khuzestan, Mazandaran, and Azerbaijan. These factors significantly influence the operation of fallow deer captive breeding sites.
Material and Methods: We conducted periodic field surveys and interviews with experts to identify management challenges related to habitat and population,. Habitat suitable conditions at captive sites were compared using a scoring and ranking method. Human-induced and environmental threats, along with management opportunities, were assessed based on IUCN guidelines and expert interviews. A total of 44 and 35 factors respectively related to two main group of human-induced and environmental threats also 34 management opportunities were identified, each factor scored based on their intensity of effect (0-1-2-3). Next, we performed an analysis of variance to compare mean scores across the three sectors in different regions. The habitat suitability was evaluated and ranked in different sites compared to each other.
Results and Discussion: Despite a positive correlation between habitat conditions and demographic challenges, this relationship was not statistically significant (P-value > 0.30). Major threats included limited site area, resource shortages, predation, environmental disasters, adult fights, disease outbreaks, inbreeding, abortion or unviable newborns, snakebites, and occasionally unsuitable mountain topography. Habitat ranking revealed significant differences among sites (P-value < 0.05), with Dasht-e Naz Wildlife Refuge achieving the highest rank at 65%. Ashk Island and Dez National Park had medium rankings at 52% and 50%, respectively, while Karkheh ranked lower at 46%. Most regions were found to be at high or medium threat levels. The average levels of environmental and human-induced threats were calculated as follows: Dasht-e Naz (35%-24%), Ash Island (32%-45%), Karkheh National Park (55%-51%), and Dez (55%-60%). The average percentage of score for management opportunities was highest in Dasht-e Naz at 50%, followed by Karkheh at 48%, Ashk Island at 47%, and Dez at 39%. Analysis of variance indicated statistically significant differences between threat scores in both human-induced and environmental sectors (P-value < 0.01). However, no significant difference was observed in management situations across regions (P-value > 0.05). Overall management effectiveness was deemed basic across all regions, with notable deficiencies and limitations.
Conclusion: Management decisions aimed at enhancing the conservation plan should include expanding site areas, restoring vegetation, constructing standard water troughs and forage mangers, providing water and forage resources, building water holes, controlling predators and competing herbivores, adjusting population structures, managing flood and fire risks, preventing livestock incursions and disease transmission, promoting sustainable tourism practices, installing closed-circuit cameras, reducing human-wildlife conflicts, educating local communities, and increasing public participation. Improving the conservation status of captive sites while also focusing on the release and monitoring of fallow deer in the wild remains a primary goal of captive breeding. Moreover, improving management decisions should take into account using advanced techniques and methods. Finally, continuous monitoring of management effectiveness should be integrated into action plans with long-term targeted implementation strategies.
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