Elbers, A.R.W.

Groot Bruinderink, G.W.T.A.

Vos-de Jong, C.J., de

English

Name not available

Veterinary Risk of deer in robust natural corridors in The Netherlands

Wageningen Yield 

Veterinary Risk of Deer in Robust Natural Corridors in the Netherlands 
 
de Vos CJ1*, Groot Bruinderink GWTA2, Elbers, ARW1 
1 Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen UR, Lelystad, The Netherlands.  
2 Alterra, Wageningen UR, Wageningen, The Netherlands 
* Corresponding author. E-mail: clazien.devos@wur.nl 
 
 
ABSTRACT 
 
Establishment of robust natural corridors between natural areas in the Netherlands will allow for migration of 
wild ungulates. Extension of the range of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) might, 
however, facilitate spread of animal diseases to domesticated animals. Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), on 
the contrary, already present a potential veterinary risk for the livestock sector since they live throughout the 
country. The objective of this study was to assess the additional risk posed by the future presence of red 
deer and fallow deer in robust nature links. 
 
Main results of the qualitative risk assessment are: 
• Overall deer densities will increase by approximately 50%.  
• Up till present, only the presence of BT, paratuberculosis, and possibly IBR has been confirmed in 
red deer. No diseases have been observed in fallow deer and roe deer.  
• Roe deer seem to be more susceptible to disease than red deer and fallow deer.  
• Red deer and fallow deer live in larger groups than roe deer increasing the probability of intraspecific 
transmission by direct contact. 
• Red deer and fallow deer have a larger niche-overlap with cattle than roe deer increasing the 
probability of interspecific transmission via indirect contact and vectors. 
 
Taking all this into account, we concluded that migration of red deer and fallow deer in robust natural 
corridors will result in a slight increase of the general veterinary risk for the Dutch livestock sector. 
 
Keywords: disease transmission, qualitative risk assessment, fallow deer, red deer, roe deer 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
In the Netherlands robust natural corridors will be created to connect natural areas and to enlarge the habitat 
of plant and animal species. Some of these corridors will allow for migration of wild ungulates. Extension of 
the range of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) might, however, facilitate spread of 
animal diseases, both within these populations and to domesticated animals. Roe deer (Capreolus 
capreolus), on the contrary, already present a potential veterinary risk for the livestock sector since they live 
throughout the country. The objective of this study was to assess the additional risk posed by the future 
presence of red deer and fallow deer in robust nature links.  
 
For this purpose a qualitative risk assessment was conducted taking into account 
(a) expected number of deer in future robust natural corridors; 
(b) prevalence of specific diseases in deer populations in the Netherlands; 
(c) differences in susceptibility to and excretion of pathogens in wild ungulates; 
(d) disease transmission routes from wild deer to livestock. 
 
This risk assessment was based on (a) ecology of deer and (b) epidemiology of contagious animal diseases. 
 
 
ECOLOGY OF DEER 
 
Some differences in the ecology of red deer, fallow deer, and roe deer might contribute to their capability to 
spread contagious diseases to livestock. 
• Red deer and fallow deer are intermediate feeders, whereas roe deer are browsers. Feed will thus 
rather be a limiting factor for roe deer than for red deer and fallow deer. 
• Red deer and fallow deer congregate in larger groups than red deer, especially during the mating 
season. 
• Red deer and fallow deer show a greater niche-overlap with cattle than roe deer do. 
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CONTAGIOUS ANIMAL DISEASES 
 
Red deer, fallow deer, and roe deer are all susceptible to a large number of pathogens (Böhm et al., 2007). 
In this study, a selection of diseases was considered taking into account (a) possible presence in Dutch 
wildlife, (b) diversity in transmission routes, and (c) expected economic loss for the Dutch livestock sector. 
Diseases selected were foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), bluetongue (BT), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis 
(IBR), bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD), paratuberculosis, Q-fever, and babesiosis.  
 
Transmission routes that contribute to the probability of disease spread from wildlife to livestock are: 
• direct contact; 
• indirect contact (faecal-oral route); 
• vector-borne transmission (ticks, midges). 
 
Direct contact is the main transmission route for FMD, IBR, BVD, and Q-fever. Paratuberculosis is mainly 
spread by the faecal-oral route and can survive in the environment for a long period. BT is spread by midges 
(Cullicoides spp.). Babesiosis is spread by ticks (Ixodes ricinus). 
 
 
RESULTS 
 
The number of deer in robust nature links will be regulated by man at a socially acceptable tolerance level 
which is below the ecological carrying capacity of these areas. Therefore, no exclusion of species by 
competition is expected. The expected mean density of red deer and fallow deer in robust nature links is 2 
animals per 100 ha. The current mean density of roe deer is 8 animals per 100ha. Hence, overall deer 
densities will increase by approximately 50%. 
 
Little is known about the presence or absence of animal diseases in the Dutch deer populations, as there is 
no structural monitoring for diseases among wild deer. Up till present, only the presence of BT, 
paratuberculosis, and possibly IBR has been confirmed in red deer. No diseases have been observed in 
fallow deer and roe deer. 
 
Red deer, fallow deer, and roe deer are all susceptible to the diseases selected. Information on differences 
in susceptibility and excretion is, however, scarce. Differences in observed prevalences in other European 
countries do not indicate consistent differences between deer species. Red deer and fallow deer are 
members of the subfamily Cervinae, whereas roe deer are member of the subfamily Odocoilinae. The latter 
family seems to be more susceptible to disease (e.g. FMD, Forman and Gibbs, 1974). 
 
Direct contact between different species of herbivores is exceptional. This also accounts for wild ungulates 
and domestic livestock. The transmission route of direct contact will thus mainly contribute to intraspecific 
transmission of disease. Red deer and fallow deer live in larger groups than roe deer increasing the 
probability of intraspecific transmission by direct contact (FMD, IBR, BVD, Q-fever). 
 
Interspecific transmission of diseases will mainly occur by indirect contact or vectors. The opportunities for 
interspecific transmission depend among others on the extent of niche-overlap between different ungulates 
that share the same habitat. Observational studies indicate that red deer and fallow deer have a larger niche-
overlap with cattle than roe deer (Putman, 1996) increasing the probability of interspecific transmission via 
indirect contact (paratuberculosis) and vectors (BT, babesiosis). 
 
 
CONCLUSION 
 
Taking all this into account, we conclude that migration of red deer and fallow deer in robust natural corridors 
will result in a slight increase of the general veterinary risk for the Dutch livestock sector. Quantification of the 
risk was not possible because no disease prevalence data are available for red deer, fallow deer, and roe 
deer in the Netherlands. Given the lack of historical evidence of disease transmission from roe deer to 
livestock, we assume that the present veterinary risk is small. Furthermore, we expect that the veterinary risk 
will remain small, despite a slight increase due to the presence of red deer and fallow deer. 
 
 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
This study was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality (BO-08-010-020).  
REFERENCES 
 
Böhm, M., White, P.C.L., Chambers, J., Smith, L., Hutchings, M.R. (2007) Wild deer as a source of infection 
for livestock and humans in the UK. Vet. J. 174, 260-276. 
Forman, A.J., Gibbs, E.P.J. (1974) Studies with foot-and-mouth disease virus in British deer (red, fallow and 
roe). I. Clinical disease. J. Comp. Pathol. 84, 215-220. 
Putman, R.J. (1996) Competition and resource partitioning in temperate ungulate assemblies. Chapman & 
Hall, London. 


Competition and resource partitioning in temperate ungulate assemblies.

Studies with foot-and-mouth disease virus in British deer (red, fallow and roe).

Wild deer as a source of infection for livestock and humans in the UK.

de Vos-de Jong, C.J.

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Veterinary Risk of deer in robust natural corridors in The Netherlands

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