Effects of distance from the feed and visual blockage to behavioral responses of sika deer (Cervus nippon) for polyethylene Intrusion prevention fence

Abstract

Protective net fences are placed around crops and trees to protect them from being consumed by sika deer (Cervus nippon). In this study, we investigated the effect of the distance between the net and food resources on the behavioral response of the deer to the net fence. Five adult female deer housed at the Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Japan, were included in the study. The distance between the net and the food resources was divided into four test conditions (0 cm [control], 30 cm, 75 cm, 30 cm + 75 cm of the black sheet-covered net at the bottom [blind treatment]). Each test condition was continuously observed with a night-vision camera for five days. The “blind treatment” had the highest amount remaining of presented feed. The deer spent the longest time in front of the protective net fence in the 75-cm test condition. Consequently, the number of times the deer licked or bit the protective net fence and inserted their heads through the net lattice was highest for this test condition. Collectively, these results suggest that blocking the enclosed crops and trees from the deer’s sight reduced the feeding-related damage to the net. However, distancing the food resources with protective fencing did not discourage the feeding instinct of the deer. Although the remaining amount of presented feed was substantial, the increased tendency to bite and insert the head could damage the net.