Scottish Deer Centre
On a recent trip to Scotland we stopped in to look at the deer in the Scottish Deer Centre. It is located in the lowlands of Scotland near Springfield and Stratheden - north of Edinburgh and west of St Andrews. This incredibly fertile area is sometimes described as the food bowl of Scotland.
On display were White Lipped deer, Pere David’s, Fallow, Sika, Hog deer, Reindeer, Red deer, European Elk (Moose), Chital, Hog, Barasingha deer and Bactrian deer.
Sika deer were first brought to England in 1860. A mix of Japanese Sika and Manchurian Sika were gifted to the London Zoo. In the same year, six Japanese Sika were taken to Ireland. I believe that the Sika stag here, at the centre, is Cervus nippon manchuricus (Manchurian Sika), while the older females are Cervus nippon taiouanus (Taiwanese/Formosan Sika). Their offspring are a hybrid of the two subspecies (personal communications). My initial observation is that they are slightly smaller than C.n. hortulorum. The stag’s antlers have different tops (more even); its tres tines are markedly larger and its body seems “stockier”. The hinds are very similar to our Sika hinds but it is a very small sample from which to draw any conclusions!
The genetics of the herd here are varied by bringing in animals from other U.K. parks. As there are no stock handling facilities here in the Centre, ear tagging is done when the calves are under 2 days old. Any veterinary work done to older animals is completed after darting the deer and anaesthetising them.
The centre is part of The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “BIAZA’s purpose is to bring together the best zoos and aquariums in Britain and Ireland to create a better future for the planet and its inhabitants. We drive excellence in animal welfare, conservation, education and research, demonstrate our members’ value to society, and use our collective expertise and voice to influence policy and champion positive behaviours.” https://biaza.org.uk/our-purpose.
