Heat is far from over for stags

IT seems that temperatures are rising ahead of rutting season, just not in the way nature had intended as stags in Killarney National Park are on a bit of a ‘go slow’ at the moment.

The unusually high temperatures are having an adverse effect on the breeding season with experts claiming deer are just not in the mood, and that deer have become subdued. Apart from the occasional roar, stags this time of year would normally be locking antlers to win the hearts of the female deer population; however, many stags are still living happily together in the herd with love rivalry momentarily suspended it seems.

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland say they have been contacted by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) about the strange occurrence and the rescheduled ‘Rut Watch’ now takes place this Sunday, 9 October at 9am where it’s hoped the stags will be better able to perform their seasonal activity.

“Normally the rut would be at its peak now but the warmer temperatures have delayed the serious action by a week,” said Damian Hannigan, Secretary of The Wild Deer Association of Ireland.

“Usually as the testosterone levels increase the stags become less tolerant of each other and they fight, but this week there have been sighting of stags happily grazing together. Shorter days and colder weather releases a hormone in the stag and with the weather expected to change over the coming days, more normal rutting activity is set to resume in time for the Rut Watch,” added Damian.

Those wishing to experience the true Kerry Red deer rut should get in touch with The Irish Wild Deer Association at www.wilddeerireland.com

Photo by Michael Donnelly Red Deer in Killarney.