In a recent study, Brazilian researchers delved into the Atlantic Rainforest to estimate the population density of five deer species. By doing so, they uncovered the key factors influencing the number of deer living in a given area.

Their findings pointed to a strong link between low deer populations and human activities like hunting, predation by predators, diseases carried by livestock, and competition with invasive species like wild boars.

This study, featured in the Journal of Applied Ecology, sheds light on the challenges of tracking deer in dense forests. It took over a decade of hard work for Márcio Leite de Oliveira, a professor at the University of Araraquara, to gather this essential data.

Using specialized dogs to locate deer feces, the researchers analyzed the DNA from the droppings to identify the different deer species. This method, along with statistical analyses considering the fecal defecation rate, provided robust data for conservation efforts.

The study also took into account environmental factors like vegetation type, altitude, and slope, while assessing human threats in the area. Surprisingly, the presence of park rangers positively impacted deer density, demonstrating the importance of protected areas for wildlife conservation.

Moving forward, Oliveira hopes to repeat these deer density estimates every few years to monitor changes and guide conservation efforts. This research not only highlights the current situation of deer in the Atlantic Rainforest but also underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and evidence-based conservation strategies.

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