Deer

A deer (pl.: deer) or true deer is a hoofed ruminant ungulate of the family Cervidae (informally the deer family). Cervidae is divided into subfamilies Cervinae (which includes muntjac, elk, red deer, and fallow deer) and Capreolinae (which includes reindeer, white-tailed deer, roe deer, and moose). Male deer of almost all species (except the water deer), as well as female reindeer, grow and shed new antlers each year. These antlers are bony extensions of the skull and are often used for combat between males. The musk deer (Moschidae) of Asia and chevrotains (Tragulidae) of tropical African and Asian forests are separate families that are also in the ruminant clade Ruminantia; they are not especially closely related to Cervidae. Deer appear in art from Paleolithic cave paintings onwards, and they have played a role in mythology, religion, and literature throughout history, as well as in heraldry, such as red deer that appear in the coat of arms of Åland. Their economic importance includes the use of their meat as venison, their skins as soft, strong buckskin, and their antlers as handles for knives. Deer hunting has been a popular activity since the Middle Ages and remains a resource for many families today. A common cause of mortality in deer in human-dominated environments is collisions with vehicles. The number of deer killed annually in vehicle collisions is estimated at approximately 40,000 in the United Kingdom and at least half a million in the United States. In many U.S. states, drivers who collide with a deer are legally required to report the incident immediately to a law enforcement officer. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, guidance is to keep a safe distance and contact the police if a deer is hit by a vehicle. Rehabilitation of injured deer is often not possible. Approaching injured individuals may induce severe stress, which can lead to death due to capture myopathy, and may increase the animal’s suffering. Injured or distressed deer may also behave aggressively, posing a risk to humans, particularly those without experience. When recovery is not possible, euthanasia in the field is supported by various animal welfare organizations. In the United Kingdom, trained volunteers operate in coordination with the police to carry out humane euthanasia when required.