Research

Field research station

The field research station was established in 1994. It is situated close to the city of Eberswalde north-east of Berlin. On an area of about 4 ha predominantly roe deer, hares and mouflon sheep are kept.

The design includes a number of interconnected enclosures to keep the animals in a semi-natural environment. The access, capture, stress-free observation and specific examinations are possible at any time without considerable interference. The station includes examination- and residence rooms and the necessary infrastructure for animal husbandry and the management of the station.

Major research activities are concerned with reproductive biology of roe deer, dietary selection, energy allocation and seasonal adaptations.

The strictly monestric roe deer is the only ungulate with a genetically fixed diapause from August till December. The energy-demanding rut takes place in July/August when forage is abundant - fawns are born in May. Late pregnancy and lactation are energetically most costly for does and occur in spring time and early summer when quality of browse is at an optimum. In terms of feeding type, roe deer have been classified as a typical concentrate selector, browsing on highly digestible plant parts. This feeding strategy can not be sustained during winter when forage is less available and its digestibility is reduced.

Permanent staff on the station: Robert Schilke, Bärbel Baumann