The Scottish red deer. Below is the Japanese sika deer
BBC: Scotland's deer are changing shape due to hybridisation
Scotland's wild red deer are changing shape due to breeding with a foreign species, a new study has found. Researchers previously found Japanese sika deer, brought to the country in the 19th Century, have bred extensively with native deer...The scientists warn that a new type of deer may emerge which will have serious implications for the future of both deer species...Sika deer (Cervus nippon) occur in many of the habitats in Scotland that the native red deer (Cervus elaphus) lives. Although it was already known that sika crossbreed with red deer, it was thought the overall impact on the native species was low. The two species differ greatly in appearance: red deer are larger than sika, usually standing 30cm taller at the shoulder. Red deer stags can also grow antlers with 12 points or more but sika antlers rarely exceed eight points. Despite the fact that sika are smaller in size, the two species can mate giving birth to hybrids that are fertile...more...
