Question re: Mule Deer or other deer in zoos

[Gomphothere]

Has anyone seen a Mule Deer herd in captivity with more than one mature buck? If so, if you know, how to they manage the males during the breeding season? Knowledge about another deer species in captivity with a similar tending bond breeding system would also be appreciated. I am working on a Sitka Deer exhibit for my fantasy zoo, but want to base its design on real life examples of success. Thanks!

 

[Azamat Shackleford]

It may be different, but from some places I've seen and been to, it kind of depends.

Most zoos and deer farms (of various species) seem to keep a mix of both males and females, though I'm not 100% sure on whether such ratios are ideal.

 

[Hipporex]

Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary exhibits a rescue herd of mule deer but I'm not aware of the male to female ratio.

 

[tschandler71]

Cervids in breeding situations are kept in harems with one male per a few females.

 

[Gomphothere]

The Bronx has a large breeding group of Pere David's deer that definitely includes more than one mature male. I don't know how they handle the stags once rut begins.

 

[Valentinoamor]

Exhibitors of Mule Deer in the United States are going to have to follow regulations established by the Department of Natural Resources. These regulations aren't - most likely - going to apply to non-native cervids. The regulations often discourage exhibitors from housing native species in their collection, substituting them for a foreign species. It eliminates another inspection, which always seems to be appreciated.

 

[birdsandbats]

Exhibitors of Mule Deer in the United States are going to have to follow regulations established by the Department of Natural Resources. These regulations aren't - most likely - going to apply to non-native cervids. The regulations often discourage exhibitors from housing native species in their collection, substituting them for a foreign species. It eliminates another inspection, which always seems to be appreciated.

Actually many states do indeed limit the keeping of non-native cervids under concern for spreading Chronic Wasting Disease. There was some recent discussion on this thread: Where do the Deer & Antelope Play?: A Look at America's Ungulate Populations

 

[Valentinoamor]

Actually many states do indeed limit the keeping of non-native cervids under concern for spreading Chronic Wasting Disease. There was some recent discussion on this thread: Where do the Deer & Antelope Play?: A Look at America's Ungulate Populations

Chronic Wasting Disease completely slipped my mind! Have facilities like the Wisconsin Deer Park had any scares with the disease?

 

[birdsandbats]

Chronic Wasting Disease completely slipped my mind! Have facilities like the Wisconsin Deer Park had any scares with the disease?

I don't know of any zoos having trouble but many hunting ranches have had massive losses.

 

[Valentinoamor]

I don't know of any zoos having trouble but many hunting ranches have had massive losses.

I'm not surprised. Does Wildwood Zoo in Marshfield exhibit Mule Deer?

 

[birdsandbats]

I'm not surprised. Does Wildwood Zoo in Marshfield exhibit Mule Deer?

No, only White-tailed.