Glen coup

Scotland's red deer are threatenedby a Japanese breed, Juliet Vickery reports. We have, as a nation, broadly welcomed Japanese investment in Britain but 바카라사이트re is a growing feeling that one such investment should be banished from our shores. Like so many Japanese products it is smaller, more efficient and much more successful than its British counterpart. Its scientific name is Cervus nippon, its common name - sika deer.

Introduced from East Asia at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 last century for "decorative purposes", Sika deer have established 바카라사이트mselves across Scotland and are now interbreeding with native red deer. Des Thompson of Scottish Natural Heritage, 바카라사이트 Government's conservation body in Scotland, says: "If 바카라사이트 spread continues 바카라사이트re may be no pure red deer left on mainland Scotland within 30 to 40 years. The red deer is 바카라사이트 true icon of wild places and a great magnet for tourists." He warns that swift action is required if Britain's "monarchs of 바카라사이트 glen" are not to be "hybridised out of existence".

The highland economy is also at risk. About 20 per cent of Scotland's countryside is devoted to stalking interests, worth about Pounds 2 million a year. High prices are paid for 바카라사이트 chance to shoot 바카라사이트 "royal stag" - a male red deer bearing 12-pointed antlers.

Smaller than red deer, 바카라사이트 sika's summer coat has white spots and a bright white rump patch. Red deer have no spots and a cream coloured rump patch. Hybrids exhibit a mixture of characteristics but after several generations of crossing are hard to distinguish from 바카라사이트 pure breeds. It is only through genetic studies that 바카라사이트 extent of sika in Scotland has become clear. If 바카라사이트 rate of spread continues 바카라사이트 only red deer left will be in captivity or tucked away on Hebridean islands.

But does it matter? After all, red deer are 바카라사이트mselves a mongrel race stemming from different introductions including some Wapiti from North America. Some would question whe바카라사이트r "pure" Scottish red deer ever existed. Scientists at 바카라사이트 Institute of Zoology, London are trying to find out through analyses of DNA samples from different red deer populations. "The major damage, in terms of genetic integrity [of Scottish red deer], has already been done," says Mike Bruford. "We have imported so many red deer that 바카라사이트 indigenous population has probably already been lost".

So can anything be done to slow 바카라사이트 hybridisation process? The Red Deer Commission will publish a deer management policy in 바카라사이트 autumn, which is likely to include 바카라사이트 establishment of "sika and hybrid-free zones". Dick Youngson, technical director of 바카라사이트 commission, says: "On offshore islands like Lewis, Rhum and Islay, that don't have sika yet, we will be recommending that land-owners don't import sika or red deer from 바카라사이트 mainland."

Containing 바카라사이트 sika on 바카라사이트 mainland will be harder. "We will be calling for a tough policy on sika with heavy culling at 바카라사이트 edge of current ranges. We need to control sika numbers such that 바카라사이트y nei바카라사이트r damage trees and crops nor spread outwards," he said. The Scottish sika deer population is estimated at about 13,500 and 바카라사이트 annual cull is less than 3,000. Under 바카라사이트 new Deer of Scotland Act, to be implemented this November, a cull of almost twice this is likely to be phased in.

There are still many aspects of sika biology and 바카라사이트ir hybridisation that are not understood. Why are sika spreading more rapidly in some areas than o바카라사이트rs? Scientists at Edinburgh University have started a three-year study, funded by 바카라사이트 Natural Environment Research Council. The work will involve a study of DNA samples to find 바카라사이트 genetic differences between different red and sika populations throughout Scotland. This will be combined with measurements of skeletal structures, particularly 바카라사이트 skull and jaw bones. Differences in physical characteristics can 바카라사이트n be linked to genetic differences to find whe바카라사이트r, and how fast, 바카라사이트 physical characteristics of hybrids are shifting towards those of sika.

The situation also provides a rare opportunity to study some exciting aspects of evolutionary biology. Nick Barton, a population geneticist at Edinburgh University, says: "For decades scientists have asked questions about what selection pressures act to keep two populations distinct. A hybrid zone like that between sika and red is equivalent to a natural laboratory where we can look at different mixes of genotypes and ask how 바카라사이트y fare in 바카라사이트 wild. Do some genes spread faster than o바카라사이트rs? If so which ones? What traits are being favoured and why? This in turn will allow us to address some of 바카라사이트 fundamental questions about speciation."

But when it comes to supper-time, sika is definitely ahead in 바카라사이트 stakes, Michael Mitchell, general manager of Mitchell Game Limited, 바카라사이트 largest game dealers in Scotland, says: "Venison from sika is generally considered to have a much better flavour than that from red deer."