An analysis of the Iberian lynx predation upon fallow deer in the Coto Doñana, SW Spain

Abstract

Analysed are 1537 scats of lynxes and 24 carcasses of deer killed by lynxes from 1973 to 1984 at the Doñana Biological Reserve. Lynx predation upon deer is low (0%-8% of the prey). and concentrates in Autumn-Winter, when rabbit supply and doe-fawn relationships decrease. Fallow deer are statistically chosen as prey more often than red deer, and fawns more often than adults. Individuals in good and bad physical condition are evenly captured. Lynxes kill deer by biting their throats. They will usually eat the muscular tissue of the shoulders and thights. One individual lynx can eat from the same carcasse three or four times in two days. Lynx predation seems to account at least for 50% fawn mortality of fallow deer in Doñana. Anyhow, fallow deer have strong habitat restrictions in the area and predation could be a type of starvation related mortality.