Canton Zug, 04.05.2020

Roe deer urgently need peace and quiet at the moment

"Stay at home!" This message from the Federal Council is not being followed everywhere, writes the Zug Office for Forests and Wildlife. "Because most businesses are restricted and the many people’s employment is limited, a lot of people are currently drawn towards nature." The pressure that this causes on plants and animals is sometimes considerable. "The many disturbances caused by humans are currently particularly problematic for deer. For them, the breeding season begins now, the time in which they give birth to their young," says Priska Müller, head of the Office for Forests and Wildlife, in a communication. "In this phase, it is particularly important that the deer have peace and quiet."

 Needing protection: a roe deer.

Breeding of young animals is demanding
The reproductive biology of the deer is "fascinating". After fertilisation in August, they have a three-month period of dormancy. "Embryonic growth does not begin until the end of December. The fawns are mainly born from the end of April to mid-June, regardless of when the spring vegetation begins to sprout." The mother animals needed a lot of energy during this period, and spend most of their time searching for and eating food. "If the animals are thereby disturbed, they then lack the necessary energy for ther rearing of their young fawns, and their development deteriorates. This also reduces the survival chances of the fawns," says Priska Müller.

More peace instead of action in the forest
Disturbances of deer and other animals can be significantly reduced by adherence to a few basic rules, without having to do without the popular excursions into the forest. The Office of Forests and Wild therefore asks the population to "show solidarity and consideration during the Corona crisis, not only towards people, but also towards nature" by respecting the following rules: