Settling in: Reintroduced Persian Fallow Deer Adjust the Borders and Habitats of Their Home-Range During the First 5 Years Post Release

Translocated animals typically find themselves in a novel environment which they must establish home range manner that will maximize their fitness. We hypothesized the initial establishment of is followed by adjustments expressed as shifting, and occurs familiarity with landscape increases, until stabilized. studied process shifting 42 female Persian fallow deer ( Dama mesopotamica ) reintroduced into Galilee, Israel over period 2–5 years. used changes degree overlap between consecutive years an indicator stabilization. then compared how mean percent cover key vegetation types (woodland, scrubland open pastures) differed areas abandoned first year's added to last relative (using weighted paired t -test). also distribution χ 2 test independence Levene's for homogeneity variance) %cover 3 range. The average increased 5 following release. During first-year post release, avoided pastures preferred woodland. In later increase % (weighted -test: p < 0.001) decreased woodland = 0.07) abandoning little pasture steeper terrain moving more moderate terrain. Variance across individuals time. conclude ranges stabilized slope are driven time-dependent changing needs reflecting tradeoff safety (refuge) foraging. Our findings suggest using initially established determine species preferences can create misleading picture what optimal really is. Individual variation term take few be due high-risk perceived environment.