Skip to main content
Dryad

The sacred deer conflict of management after a 1000-year history: Hunting in the name of conservation or loss of their genetic identity

Data files

Aug 08, 2024 version files 48.82 KB

Abstract

The conservation of wildlife involves different stakeholders with different values and to resolve conflicts and develop solutions, management plans need to be based on scientific knowledge. In Nara city in Japan, wild sika deer (Cervus nippon) are considered sacred and have been protected for more than 1,000 years, giving them a unique genetic identity. However, when those sacred deer exited the sanctuary and began causing agricultural damage, there was debate as to whether they could be lethally treated as pests. Here, we used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to detect the origin of deer in the management areas and verify the validity of the current zoning. As a result, two genetic clusters of deer were detected in Nara city. In the protected area, we detected only one specific mtDNA haplotype (S4). On the other hand, seven haplotypes, including S4, were detected in the management area. SSR analysis also suggested that the deer in the management area may be an admixed population of multiple origins. In the future, interbreeding populations may expand into sanctuaries, and unique genetic populations may disappear. Therefore, various stakeholders must promote discussion, including the need to conserve sacred deer in Nara.