First release fence of deer in Sardinia

The survey was conducted in one of four identified areas of the project LIFE11 NAT/IT/00210 "One deer two Islands". The number of deer which should be released is 120. Other areas are situated in the Sites of Community Importance (SCI) of Sardinia ITB022212 "Su Suercone", ITB020014 "Golfo di Orosei" and the Sites of Community Importance of Corse FR9400578 "Massif du Rotondo", FR9402004 "Chenaie verte et jumiperaie de la Tartagine" and FR9400582 "Massif de l’Incudine".

In the area of the SIC "Monti del Gennargentu" will be realized a release fence where 40 deers will be input in different steps.

Capture procedure of the animals will be conducted in Costa Verde - SIC ITB 040031 "Monte Arcuentu- Rio Pixinas" in the Province of Medio Campidano. The animals will be released after few days, just the time for health checks.

The 50% of animals will be wear a radio collar, which is a useful tool for monitoring the new population.

The identified area of release is centre-eastern Sardinia in the forestry yard of "Rio Nuxi" (Seui) managed by Ente Foreste della Sardegna. The choice of the site was made by the ISPRA’s researchers based on a feasibility study.

The return of Sardinian-Corsican Red Deer in a territory where this wonderful mammal lived in until the beginning of the 20th century, represents a very important step to requalification of the area and a new way to develop tourist activities.