PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Corsican red deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus) is a sub-species of the European red deer and is endemic to Sardinia and Corsica. It is considered a priority for conservation species in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. It is also included on the IUCN Red List as an endangered species. Themain threats to the Corsican red deer have been extensive cutting and logging of vegetation and trees, hunting, forest fires, the diffusion of farming and the spread of livestock. This situation has led to habitat fragmentation and severe population declines across its territory on both islands.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the 'One deer two islands' project was to improve the conservation status of the Corsican red deer in Sardinia (Italy) and Corsica (France), by reducing conflict with human activities and by promoting awareness of its ecological and economic value. The project team aimed to establish new populations of red deer in eight Natura 2000 network sites, and demonstrate good practice in developing populations and mitigating threats from human activities. They also aimed at formulating an international management and conservation plan for Cervus elaphus corsicanus, to be implemented after the end of the LIFE project. A change in socio-cultural behaviour, mainly associated with hunting, was a key objective. The project sought to benefit the target sub-species as well as the local communities. Specifically, the projected also aimed to implement actions to facilitate the co-existence of human activities and conservation; increase awareness among citizens and visitors of the importance of the target Natura 2000 sites; and promote co-operation and networking among institutions and authorities involved in the management of the Corsican red deer.
RESULTS
The One deer two islands project improved the conservation status of the Corsican red deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus) in Sardinia and Corsica, by releasing translocated deer, decreasing the density pressure where the deer were very numerous in Sardinia, and raising awareness of the ecological and economic importance of the deer on the two islands.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
A total of 80 deer were released in Ogliastra in eastern Sardinia, where the species was historically present but infrequently recorded in recent years. Most of these deer (56) were translocated from the Medio Campidano province of Sardinia, where they are more common. A total of 70 deer were released in Corsica, 15 of them being translocated from Sardinia.
The project team carried out environmental improvements, mostly aimed at creating ecological corridors to facilitate the movement of deer. This was done on about 80 ha in Medio Campidano, and on about 70 ha in Ogliastra, in Sardinia. 32 drinking troughs were also installed in Sardinia.
The translocation of deer and the creation of ecological corridors has enabled the creation of meta-populations of deer. This improves the deers situation in terms of population density and genetics, and pressure on habitat, in Sardinia and Corsica. The ecological corridor established in Sardinia helped deer to move towards the south-west, decreasing the pressures due to high population density in the Medio Campidano territory, where poaching was always seen in the past as the sole method to control the deer.
To raise awareness of the deer, 30 information panels were installed in Sardinia, and 21 in Corsica. The project team created three tracks dedicated to deer in Corsica and one in Sardinia. A deer watching hut was installed at the end of each track.
Electrified fences were installed in Sardinia with good results to protect valuable cultivation areas and limit conflicts with farmers, which were welcomed by the farming community.
The project team also installed wildlife warning reflectors in Sardinia to limit the problems of deer collisions with cars, along roads known to be potential accident sites. Innovative monitoring techniques were deployed during the project. These included the use of GPS radio collars for obtaining real-time information on deer locations and movement, and a distance sampling method to estimate population density using thermo-cameras. The project team organised training for staff in the use of new technologies for deer studies.
Socio-economic studies were produced by both the Sardinian and Corsican project partners. These concluded that an increase in tourist flows could be attributed to the presence of the red deer. In addition, the projects actions contributed to the decreasing requests for indemnities for damages caused by deer, especially thanks to the installation of electric fencing and wildlife warning reflectors.
The project team produced a report on the legal status of the Corsican red deer. It is included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, so is a strictly protected species under EU, Italian national (LN 157/19992) and regional (LR 23/98) laws. However, it is not completely protected (only hunting is forbidden) as per French law, as it is classified as "red deer" and not recognised as a separate subspecies. The project outcomes could therefore provide the basis for a request to the French government to change the current legislation.
The Sardinian beneficiary have produced a national Action Plan on the conservation of the Corsican red deer, mainly produced thanks to information collected during the LIFE project.
