Estimating red deer (Cervus elaphus) population size based on non-invasive genetic sampling

Abstract Some deer species are of conservation concern; others officially managed as a food source or for their trophies, whereas in many regions, regarded overabundant even nuisance causing damages. Regardless local management issues, most cases, reliable data on population sizes and sex ratios lacking. Non-invasive genetic approaches promising tools the estimation size structure. We developed tested non-invasive approach red ( Cervus elaphus ) density based faeces collected from three free-ranging populations south-western Germany. Altogether, we genotyped 2762 faecal samples, representing 1431 different individuals. estimated both sexes separately using two approaches: spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) single-session urn model (CAPWIRE). The densities were similar all study areas, ranging between total 3.3 (2.5–4.4) 8.5 (6.4–11.3) deer/km 2 . differed significantly studied (ranging 1:1.1 1:1.7), resulting considerable consequences management. In further research, issues closure approximation effectively sampled area should be addressed. presented can serve valuable tool populations, to our knowledge, it represents only sex-specific density.