Damwild

Description

Fallow deer have been part of Bayern-Park since the days of the original Vilstaler Wildpark, making this enclosure one of the oldest features on the grounds. The animals weigh between 50 and 90 kg and can live up to 25 years. Their white-spotted coat sets them apart from roe deer and red deer at a glance. Males are called Damhirsch, females Damtier. Both are even-toed ungulates and strict herbivores, feeding on leaves, grasses and herbs, with chestnuts serving as a particular favourite. In winter, the herd is supplemented with hay and silage. The antlers of a male can reach up to 94 cm in length. Fallow deer are social animals, living in groups and grazing across open meadows, where they also maintain their social bonds. The rut runs from early October to mid-November, and after a gestation period of around 230 days, females typically give birth to a single young.