A case of male filicide in farmed European fallow deer (Dama dama)

Abstract

Male infanticide is a widespread phenomenon in mammals and is usually directed against non-filial infants. In cervids, reports on male infanticide remain very rare. This article reports a case of male filicide (filial infanticide) in farmed European fallow deer (Dama dama). The conflict between the buck and his male offspring took place at the feeding station during the rut and was recorded on camera. Several times (about 7) a fawn entered the feeding station but was repeatedly chased away by the buck. On the last occasion, the buck struck/stabbed the fawn with his antlers. Post-mortem examination revealed penetrating abdominal trauma with gastrointestinal perforation. This is the first record of male infanticide in fallow deer, although it differs from other cases in cervids where the attacks were clearly intentional. Therefore, we cannot provide a firm explanation, although it was likely a non-adaptive/pathological behaviour under the specific (unnatural) circumstances.