Red deer
Cervus elaphus
We have a large herd of red deer here at the park that can be spotted in our drive-through reserve.
Red deer are one of the largest and most widespread deer species, found across much of Europe, parts of Asia and northwest Africa. Recognisable by their reddish-brown summer coats and, in males (known as stags), impressive branching antlers that are shed and regrown annually. They are highly adaptable, inhabiting diverse environments including open moorlands, grasslands and woodlands.
Population
Increasing
Diet
Herbivore
Habitat
Grasslands
Fact file
Red deer are the UK's largest species of deer - and the largest land mammal in Britain
Males have large, branching antlers, increasing in size as they get older. Their antlers can measure up to one metre in breadth and weigh as much as 15kg!
In the Scottish Highlands, stags chew on the old antlers when they fall off. These bony antlers are rich in calcium, which is deficient in many soils of the Highlands
How we're helping
Like all the animals in our care, our deer are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued, and loved.
As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the park and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.
Find out more about RZSS conservation