Wildlife feeding activities induce papillae proliferation in the rumen of fallow deer

Abstract Wildlife feeding activities are growing as a trend in recent years, with wild ruminants (e.g. deer urban parks) receiving an increasingly unnatural diet result of public attention. The effects on the gastrointestinal tract have been established context animal agriculture, highly modified diets driving morphological changes rumen papillae. However, these dietary not widely explored that exposed to recreational feeding. aim this study was investigate human-wildlife interactions papillae population fallow Phoenix Park, Dublin. length, width, and density ventral were compared across variety behaviours, ranging from consistently accept food humans rarely, if ever, humans. surface enlargement factor (SEF) also calculated measure overall absorptive similarly compared. Statistical analysis revealed consistent acceptors had significantly higher than those do food. Increased high amounts human suggests shift internal environment. A lack significant change SEF cellular may be occurring. This artificial state requires further attention elucidate full extent impacts integrity deer. Moreover, is call for research into other occur human-dominated landscapes, beyond Park.