UFA (Russia), January 2 (Sputnik) – Ecologists are working to restore red deer populations in Russia's Bashkortostan Republic, where the wild deer were wiped out in the early 20th century, a spokesperson for the local ministry of ecology has told RIA Novosti.
"The first batch of red deer — 28 animals — have successfully adapted to the natural habitat and food resources. We have the first litter – eight baby red deer were born," the spokesperson said.
18 October 2014, 19:08 GMT
Ecologists plan to bring the local wild population of red deer to 150 in four years.
The red deer is one of the largest deer species that inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, parts of Asia and Iran. It is also the only deer species that inhabits Africa (Atlas Mountains).
The antlers of the red deer are highly valuable and red deer antler velvet is used to make holistic medicine.
