Bringing Biblical Deer to the Holy Land

Dear Persian Fallow Deer Supporters,

After having been so excited by our latest release of 8 deer from the acclimatization center into the wild (following a resolution of the technical problems we had with the GPS tracking collars), we were devastated to once more discover that 5 deer had died relatively soon after having been released. Initial indications are that packs of feral dogs are once again hunting the deer. 

You may recall that some years ago, this conservation program was halted because of a high mortality rate due to feral dogs in the area. Feral dogs are domesticated stray dogs who, after abandonment, group together and revert to pack behavior. They can be extremely dangerous both in terms of attacks on animals and humans, and because they can spread disease. The program was resumed once the Ministry of Environment gave Israel Nature and Parks Authority rangers the power to destroy feral dogs on sight however it appears that the problem has once again resurfaced in the Jerusalem hills. 

In light of this, further releases have been halted for now until we can investigate further in conjunction with the Israeli authorities. We will keep you posted. Wildlife conservation is a challenging pursuit but, with your support, we have high hopes for continued success.

With thanks and appreciation,

Team Fallow Deer at the Jerusalem Zoo

Summer is the perfect time to give you an update about the Persian fallow deer conservation program.

We are very excited to report that our captive breeding center at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo has produced no less than 10 baby darlings this year. But what we’re most excited to tell you about is the fact that there was a birth within our acclimatization area in the Jerusalem hills – that means that a baby deer was recently born in the wild!

Currently we have 8 deer in the acclimatization area awaiting release into the wild proper. The release has been delayed due to technical problems with the new GPS collar tracking system but we hope to have these resolved very soon so that we will be able to obtain instant, accurate tracking data via the internet.

And that’s not all – we recently received a wonderful validation of the success of this project: members of the public sent in video images of an adult male Persian fallow deer in the Tzur Hadassah area near Jerusalem. From the images, our zoological team is able to tell that, not only was this magnificent male born in the wild (due to the absence of a tracking collar), but he has survived and thrived for at least 3 years! The importance of this sighting is not limited to the receipt of new information - we are also really happy to see that our education outreach efforts to the local community are paying off: the community not only supports our conservation initiative but is actively partnering with us! (You can view the video clip below.)

Thank you for your continued support of this very important wildlife conservation project. It is our privilege to be able to share these success stories with all of you.

Warm regards from us all,

Team Fallow Deer at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo

Links:

• Video of Persian Fallow Deer Sighting in the Wild