European Roe Deer Population Increasing in the Chatkal Biosphere Reserve
2025-08-04 10:00:00 / News
The European roe deer is widespread across Europe and Asia. In summer, it inhabits meadows and mountain slopes, and in winter, it descends into valleys. Females usually give birth to two fawns, occasionally three. Their diet consists of tree leaves and twigs, berries and lichens. The female’s body length reaches up to 140 cm, with a shoulder height of up to 90 cm and a weight of up to 55 kg. Males are slightly smaller, have a short tail, and small antlers with three, sometimes four, short tines.
This species had not been observed in the reserve for nearly 15 years. However, over the past four years, it has reappeared and begun to reproduce. Currently, the population of roe deer in the reserve stands at seven individuals.
Background: The Chatkal State Biosphere Reserve was established in December 1947. It is home to nearly 1,300 species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Among the mammals found in the area are the mountain goat, roe deer, white-clawed Tien Shan bear, Menzbier’s marmot, lynx, wolf, snow leopard and others. Of these, 20 species are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan and two — the snow leopard and Menzbier’s marmot — are included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.