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at this time that stags give their impressive roaring displays, which are
intended to intimidate other stags (and to attract hinds). Should these
displays and posturing fail, stags may fight, which sometimes results
in severe injury and even death. A single fawn (very rarely twins) is
dropped after a gestation of about 235 days. The fawn remains hidden
for 2–3 weeks after birth.
Distribution and Status The naturally occurring North African
population is restricted to extreme north-eastern Algeria and the
adjacent area of Tunisia, with about 4,000 individuals. Animals in
Morocco were introduced from Spain. The Red Deer is absent from
Arabia. Scattered populations (perhaps 5,000 animals) occur in
pockets of suitable habitat in Turkey. In Iran heavy hunting pressure
and habitat degradation have caused the extinction of the species
over much of its former range. It is known only to survive in forests
of the Alborz ranges towards the Caspian Sea. Numbers are unknown.
Conservation Areas El Kala NP, Bouchegouf NR (Algeria); El Feidja NP
(Tunisia); Dodangeh WR, Golestan NP (Iran).