A large deer second only to the red deer in size in Britain. They were introduced to britain in the late 1860's in Dorset and quickly established a feral herd there and in the New Forest area.They prefer regions of acid soil and graze on heather, grasses, broadleaf buds and twigs, fruit and even , fungi. They show a preference for cultivated crops when these are available near to cover.
They are a prolific breeder and it is usually necessary to manage them by culling in their established areas.
Their calls can give quite a fright to the listener as they emit a blood curdling scream during rut. Their alarm call is a high pitched whistling call.

Introduced: