Endangered fallow deer give birth to 11 new fawns in Türkiye’s only natural habitat

By Suleyman Elcin and Gizem Nisa Demir

ANTALYA, Türkiye / ISTANBUL (AA) - This year, 11 fawns were born to endangered fallow deer in Duzlercami Wildlife Development Area in Antalya, Türkiye -- the only natural habitat in the world where the species (Dama dama) still exists as a pure breed.

According to Türkiye’s General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, the fallow deer’s last remaining native population lives in the Duzlercami region of Antalya.

To help preserve the species, authorities established the Esenadasi Wildlife Breeding Station within the reserve -- a 521-hectare area designed to support their natural behavior and reproduction.

Thanks to the directorate’s conservation efforts, the fallow deer population has grown safely in the wild, with 11 new fawns born so far in 2025.

With the latest additions, the total number of fallow deer in the breeding station has reached 177.

The deer, which roam freely under strict protection in the area, were recently observed grazing peacefully with their young.

Erturk Recber, head of the Esenadasi Wildlife Breeding Station, emphasized the global significance of this population.

"The Duzlercami region is the only place on Earth where fallow deer still exist in their natural habitat as a pure breed," he said.

"That’s why each new birth is critically important. So far, 11 fawns have been born this year, and we expect this number to rise. Fallow deer typically mate in October and November and give birth in June."

Recber added that spotting newborns in both Duzlercami and Esenadasi brings joy to everyone involved in the conservation project.

- Relocated due to wildfire and disease risks

Recber also highlighted the importance of relocating deer to other suitable habitats to protect the species from threats such as forest fires and disease.

"In recent years, we’ve transferred 123 fallow deer to safer regions -- including Dilek Peninsula, Koycegiz, Gulluk Dagi Termessos National Park, Manavgat, Kovada Lake, and Kas Dumandagi -- to ensure the continuity of the species," he said.

"Further relocations are planned under our directorate’s conservation programs."

He noted that the original breeding station was founded in 1966 within a 34-hectare area of the Duzlercami Wildlife Protection Zone.

"Back then, there were just seven fallow deer," he explained. "As the population grew, the space became too small, so in 2002 we established a new 521-hectare station in Esenadasi and moved 66 deer there."

"Increasing the number of fallow deer in our breeding station and relocating them to new habitats is vital to ensure the survival of this endangered species in Türkiye."