Collaborative scientific research using GPS collars has been launched to track the movement and behavior of red deer in the west Highlands. The project aims to provide valuable insights for land managers to make informed decisions about deer health, numbers, and habitats.
The study, a partnership between Affric Highlands and Durham University with support from the Association of Deer Management Groups, covers a diverse network of landowners with varying land management practices. These include sporting estates and conservation organizations.
Nicola Williamson, field officer for Affric Highlands, highlighted the importance of understanding red deer movement in Scotland’s upland landscapes and rural economies. Williamson stated, “Increased deer populations have led to challenges in balancing ecological health, biodiversity, and land management objectives.”
The study, conducted in the South Ross Deer Management Group area, involves fitting GPS collars on 22 red deer stags from Glen Affric to the west coast. Twelve stags have already been collared, with ten more to be collared this winter. Additionally, six GPS ear tags have been deployed on deer calves to gather data on hind movements, with plans to tag more calves next spring.
The GPS collars allow researchers to track the deer’s movements and analyze their habitat preferences during rutting, calving, and foraging. The data will be stored on the collars and transmitted via satellite to EarthRanger, an app that allows deer stalkers to view deer movements and add their own observations.
Dr. Eilidh Smith from Durham University highlighted the innovative nature of the research, stating that they will be “tracking and mapping red deer movements to assess their seasonal migrations, home range sizes, and responses to human activities.”
The project team will work closely with landowners and deer managers to promote collaboration for sustainable deer management. Currently, 18 deer stalkers from 14 sporting estates are involved in the project, providing valuable knowledge of deer behavior gained through decades of experience.
One of the deer stalkers participating in the project, Arran Matheson, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “Taking part in the red deer collaring project with Nicola and Eilidh has been a great experience.” He added, “This will give vital data about the deer’s habitat use and movement patterns, and it’s something I know a lot of stalkers will be very interested in.”
The project has been granted a license by the UK Home Office and approved by Durham University’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body. Capture protocols were designed in collaboration with veterinarian Dr. Neil Anderson from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare.
Additional funding is being sought to expand the project and enable more GPS collars to be deployed. The team at Affric Highlands is also working to collate two years’ worth of data for use by land managers.
Red deer (Cervus elaphus) is Scotland’s largest surviving terrestrial mammal and plays a crucial role in shaping the landscape through grazing, browsing, and trampling. However, high populations of red deer can hinder the natural regeneration of native woodlands and negatively impact deer health and welfare.
Scotland is estimated to have around one million wild deer, including roe deer and non-native sika, up from 500,000 in 1990. Deer populations can vary in densities, with some areas exceeding 40 deer per square km. Deer management is the UK’s largest terrestrial wildlife management operation.
With support from the Association of Deer Management Groups, many deer managers in the Highlands are working towards sustainable deer numbers in line with Scotland’s biodiversity goals.
Affric Highlands, launched as an independent charity this spring, is the UK’s largest rewilding landscape. The initiative, established by Trees for Life with support from Rewilding Europe, aims to restore nature and create social and economic benefits across more than 200,000 hectares of the central Highlands over the next 30 years. For more information, visit www.affrichighlands.org.
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