18. Persian Fallow Deer Dama mesopotamica French: Daim de Perse / German: Mesopotamien-Damhirsch / Spanish: Gamo persa Other common names: Mesopotamian Fallow Deer Taxonomy. Cervus mesopotamicus Brooke, 1875, Iran. It has often been considered a subspecies of the Common Fallow Deer (D. dama). The northern part of the distribution was contiguous to the refugium range of the Common Fallow Deer. Monotypic. Distribution. Iran and Israel (reintroduced). The map includes both the native relict population and the reintroduced ones. Descriptive notes. Head-body 180-190 cm for males (adult bucks), 160-170 cm for females (does), tail 16-20 cm, shoulder height 100-110 cm (bucks), 90 cm (does); weight 120-140 kg (adult bucks) and 70-80 kg (adult does). Adult bucks are on average 50% heavier than does. Larger than the Common Fallow Deer, with minor differences in the color pattern of the coat and a distinct antler conformation. The dark upper edge of the rump patch is less developed and the shorter tail appears whitish except for the dark medial line, which is very thin. The naked rhinarium has a slightly different shape. The antlers are shorter, about 50-55 cm long, more robust, with a very short brow tine, a bez tine and a trez tine; some flattening is present in the lower half of the beam. Habitat. The relict population in south-western Iran occurs in riparian woods of poplars, willows, and tamarisk. Food and Feeding. As an intermediate feeder living in thickets and scrublands it is probably more a browser of leaves and buds. Breeding. Rutting season in south-west Iran peaks in late August-September, with most of the births in March. Antler casting peaks in late February—early March. Activity patterns. It is mainly crepuscular and nocturnal. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Mainly solitary or lives in small groups. Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Originally its range included Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, and it was introduced into Cyprus about 8300 years ago. It has been represented in Assyrian and ancient Persian bas-reliefs and in an Armenian carpet. The two remnant wild populations (in Dez and in Karkeh Wildlife Refuges, south-west Iran) are on the verge of extinction, numbering a few dozen animals. Predators include Striped Hyenas (Hyaena hyaena), Gray Wolves (Canis lupus), and feral dogs. The populations in enclosures in North Iran and in Israel, a total of about 700 individuals, are slightly increasing. Bibliography. Bar-David et al. (2005), Chapman & Chapman (1975), Haltenorth (1959), Jantschke (1990), Masseti et al. (2008), Rabiei (2008), Uerpmann (1987).

Published as part of Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2011, Cervidae, pp. 350-443 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 2 Hoofed Mammals, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on pages 416-417, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6514377