FALLOW DEER FROM EPPING FOREST
149
(1964) produced a figure of about 70 whilst a more recent count
(winter 1963-4) has shown a decline from this figure. It should
be borne in mind that the annual census of deer in Epping Forest
is taken largely on Forest land and includes only a few adjacent
areas of woodland and farmland. The animals are not caught up.
It seems likely, bearing in mind the road casualties in the period
under review, that in order to sustain itself the herd is probably
larger than indicated by the count. However, it is clear that this
is a dangerously low figure and under present conditions, if the
herd is to hold its own, let alone increase, these deaths must be
reduced. Any excessive casualties due to road accidents, fawning
casualties or excessive disturbance by other animals might well
deplete the herd beyond recovery. The fact that the Forest is
probably capable of carrying a greater number of deer, and that
the present herd is so small, may well result in an influx of other
varieties of Fallow Deer into the area, and thereby contaminate
the present herd which is of the dark variety. The main roads
through the Forest and the proximity of housing estates are having
a direct effect on the deer. Whilst the matter of conservation of
these animals is an urgent one if they are not to become extinct,
much more needs to be learnt about their health and anatomical
character as well as of their feeding habits and movements. With
this information it may be possible to save the herd and at the
same time to reduce the number of road accidents in which they
are involved.
During 1963 the heaviest casualties recorded occurred during
the period of the rut. In the period from the 7th October to the
30th October, eight animals are known to have been killed in
road accidents. The month of April, both in 1963 and 1964, saw
two recorded deaths in each year. February 1964 also produced
two deaths. Two animals killed in April had well-developed
foeti. A report on the 1963 animal is given below and the 1964
specimen is preserved in the Museum (accession number, 64/64).
One animal (453/63) was not killed in a car accident, it strayed
into Forest Glade, Leytonstone, and thence down Colworth Road
into Leytonstone High Road. It was hit in the face and then
ran into Bush Wood, where, because of its injuries, it had to be
shot.
A disturbing fact to emerge from the dissection of these deer
is that they all contained shotgun pellets, none of which had
caused fatal wounds. The bones of some of these animals appear
to be diseased and this may in part be the result of shotgun
wounds. A report on the pathological conditions of these bones is
being prepared.
Some confusion seems to exist as to the colouration of
the Epping Forest Fallow Deer, Harting (1887) quoted the
Forest keepers of the time by saying, "not only are there no
spotted or fallow varieties here, but that they (the keepers) have
never observed any spotted fawns, the latter being dark like their