Juan Gabriel Martínez Suárez (Department of Animal Biology and Ecology of the University of Granada) is carrying out a series of studies on management and conservation of the genetic characteristics of red deer in Spain. Two of the research lines analyse the problems between the management of the country places given over to deer hunting and the genetic variety of such species.
In relation to management of the country places given over to hunting, Martínez Suárez says that they are the main problem for the scarce of genetic variety of the deer populations which have been studied. Professor Martínez Suárez explains that the technique of food supplementation in specific areas is usually applied in some country places, which gives raises to animal concentration and to that an only male controles the territory and mounts the females. This way genetic variety falls in the process of conception of the new baby animals.
The scarce genetic variety of any species involves a series of negative aspects like reduction in longevity and in the reproductive process success, or an increase in youth mortality, as well as making them less resistant to parasitism and disease infection.
Professor Martínez Suárez analyses another aspect too: hunting produces a considerable change in the relationship between sexes inside the country places, as males are generally hunted; in addition, hunters pursue, in general, the best specimens. The immediate consequence is that few and less strong males have to preserve the species. As a consequece, baby deers are weaker and weaker, have a smaller and more fragile antlers and are less resistant to changes.
This work line questions the main solution applied in hunting country places to increase genetic variety of deers so far: introducing animals from other European countries. This way, the Spanish deer loses its characteristics progressively and its genuine genetic features.
Research works have been carried out in two areas of the province of Caceres: Monfragüe and San Pedro. The groups of lecturers Juan Carranza Almansa (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Extremadura) and Juan Gabriel Martínez Suárez (Dpt. of Animal Biology and Ecology. University of Granada).
Information:
Prof. Juan Gabriel Martínez Suárez. Dpt. of Animal Biology and Ecology. University of Granada.
Phone number: 958-243082 / 248590.
E-mail: jgmartin@ugr.es
Prof. Juan Carranza Almansa.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Extremadura.
Phone number: 927257150.
E-mail: carranza@unex.es
