Genetic insights and conservation challenges of Nara's sacred deer

Credit: ANSAI SHUN

IN NARA CITY, JAPAN, THE SACRED JAPANESE SIKA DEER (CERVUS NIPPON), PROTECTED FOR OVER A MILLENNIUM, HAS RECENTLY SEEN A POPULATION SURGE AROUND NARA PARK. GENETIC ANALYSIS REVEALS MIXING BETWEEN SACRED DEER FROM THE SANCTUARY AND COMMON LINEAGE DEER, POSING A RISK TO THE SACRED DEER'S UNIQUE GENETICS.

« Genetic insights and conservation challenges of Nara's sacred deer

Credit: Harumi Torii from Fukushima University, Japan

Differences in the way people deal with Japanese sika deer in Nara city. a) Deer are a tourist resource in the protected areas and tourists feed them. b) In the management area, deer are vermin and are prevented from feeding on crops by fences and other means.

« Genetic insights and conservation challenges of Nara's sacred deer

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