Šumarski list, Vol. 138 No. 9-10, 2014.
Stručni rad
INTRODUCTION OF THE AXIS DEER (Axis axis Erxleben 1977) TO THE CROATIAN LITTORAL IN 1953
Alojzije Frković
; Rijeka
Sažetak
As part of an extensive programme of axis deer (Axis axis Erxleben 1977) introduction to several hunting grounds in continental Croatia, this tropical deer species was brought into several sites in the Croatian Littoral in mid March 1953. The operation was organized by the Forest Administration "Viševica" from Rijeka. This wild game was originally brought in from the Brijuni islands. The axis deer were introduced to two locations on the island of Cres: Tramontana in the north of the island (4 stags and one hind) and Punta Križa in the west (4 stags and 7 females), then to the island of Plavnik (4 stags and 6 hinds), as well as to Bribir Forest above Crikvenica (2 stags and 7 hinds). A total of 14 stags and 28 hinds were introduced. The inadequately organized capture and transport of the wild game, the insufficiently prepared introduction sites, poor adaptation of the animals to new habitat conditions, the inability to roam, and in case of the continental site, calf mortality in winter season, resulted in a decrease in the number of the released adult animals by 18 heads or 55% in just two years, whereas in the case of the Tramontana area (the island of Cres) and Bribir Forest not one specimen survived. The number of the introduced axis deer rose only in the Punta Križa area, where it was hunted as early as in 1955. Due to poor interest of foreign tourists – hunters in this unattractive trophy animal, but primarily to the damage it inflicted to vineyards and households, the axis was hunted freely without any protection for several years (1965–1970). When the more attractive mouflon (Ovis musimon Pall.) and fallow deer (Dama dama L.) were introduced to the area in 1962 and 1966, the axis population gradually declines over the years, so that the last specimen was recorded in the early nineteen twenties.
Ključne riječi
Axis deer (Axis axis Erxleben 1977); introduction; Forest Administration "Viševica" Rijeka; Tramontana and Punta Križa on the island of Cres; the island of Plavnik; Bribir Forest
Hrčak ID:
133542
URI
Datum izdavanja:
30.11.2014.
Posjeta: 2.442 *