On the Wildside with Ian Rotherham: Chinese Water Deer may soon arrive

South Yorkshire Biodiversity Research Group’s Graves Park Biodiversity Project runs indoor events and outdoor fieldtrips, with support from a local sponsor, and from Lees Hall Golf Club. The evening events (at Lees Hall Golf Club, Hemsworth Road, Sheffield, S8 8LL), are available to simply turn up and enjoy, and are totally free. Doors open around 6.15pm and talks start at 7pm. There is a bar with refreshments available, and bus routes to Norton Water-tower run close by.

placeholder image — Chinese Water Deer | Paul Ardron

The next illustrated talk in the evening of Monday 23rd November, is on ‘The History and Ecology of Chinese Water Deer’ by deer expert Geoff Guy of the River Don Stewardship Company. Geoff will give this talk based on his research into the species’ origins, behaviour, and impact on habitats.

As exotic animals for grand landscaped parks, Chinese Water Deer were brought to England at the end of the nineteenth century, but they escaped to grow a wild population in East Anglia. However, they are now spreading much farther afield. Interestingly, with only a few remaining in the wild in China and Korea, the English population of around 4,000 adults (about 15% to 40% of the total) is globally significant for the deer’s conservation.

In England, they are established in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire but are now spreading rather quickly and are turning up across the Midlands. Clearly aided by large-scale wetland habitat creation, these small deer are moving northwards through the countryside of the Lincolnshire Fens and coastal marshes and will most likely turn up in the Humberhead Levels soon. The species is distinctive in appearance with males and females lacking antlers but sporting prominent, tusk-like upper canine teeth, and so are easily recognised.

They are small in stature (around half a metre at the shoulder), a russet-brown or ginger coat, and a fluffy face sometimes described as “teddy-bear-like”. If you are interested to find out more, then do join us for this fascinating talk. Our next evening indoor event (Monday 14th of December) will be my talk on “Winter Birds around Graves Park”.

Professor Ian D. Rotherham, researcher, writer & broadcaster on wildlife & environmental issues, is contactable on [email protected] ; follow Ian’s blog (https://ianswalkonthewildside.wordpress.com/ ) and Twitter @IanThewildside; BlueSky @ianthewildside.bsky.social