New forest deer arrive on Lauhanberg during spring – now wolves are the conservation concern

The wood deer is classified as Critically Endangered and has been protected by a separate project. Conservation work is still needed, but the increase in the wolf population, especially in western Finland, is a cause for concern.

New wild deer will be reintroduced to Lauhanvuori National Park during the spring.

The idea is to bring five young individuals from the zoo and combine them with two wild-caught animals in the petting zoo.

After a few months, the animals are released into the wild.

In the Metsäpeuralife project, wild individuals and new genus have been brought to the zoo. There are now offspring who have no room in the zoo in Finland or abroad.

– They are good individuals who would now be idle for nature.

Wolves may tax the position

Lauhanvuori was selected as one of the species of protection and exemption about ten years ago when the MetsäpeuRalife project began.

In recent years, wolf population growth in the area has become concerned.

– There are no signs of catastrophic prey, but there are indications that the strain has not gone as far as it would have been without prey. However, during the project period, the major fraud situation has changed, says Mykrä-Pohja.

He states that it has been difficult to prove that the forest deer remained just a wolf.

– Only one individual has a secure display, the others are guessing.

In 2021, the Game Center granted an exemption for wolf hunting to protect forest deer, but the administrative court overturned the permit.

Deer still need protection

The Metsäpeuralife project was ongoing between 2016 and 2023 and is now expected to have a decision on the EU. While waiting for it, the protection of forest deer is made with national funding.

Protection is still necessary, as forest deer are expected to be about 3,000 individuals in Finland. The positions of other similar furry animals are tens of thousands of. The forest deer is still defined as a look at.

– It is not at risk of losing in the acute, but the strain is still not good. It is good to remember that these make up most of the world’s forest deer population. The same is not just behind the eastern border, but you can’t rely on it, recalls Sakari Mykrä-Pohja, Project Manager at Metsähallitus.

Can Mount Lauhanberg provide protection?

Therefore, the protection of forest deer should be continued and the big beasts should not be taxed.

-When the stock is critically small, even random extra mortality factors may change the situation, says Mykrä-Pohja.

The Lauhanvuori area is no longer as safe for a deer as it was ten years ago. In recent years, the Finnish wolf population has focused on western Finland.

– We also have the opportunity to intervene within the law, but the criteria have proven to be very tight.

Is the position of the Lauhanvuori area in the protection of the forest deer at stake?

\”If the situation becomes more difficult and cannot be influenced by the wolf population and it will continue to grow, this may also be considered,\” says Mykrä-Pohja.