Fallow Deer - The Dubliner's deer

What this episode covers

Born within a couple of hundred metres of the Phoenix Park, Terry spent much of his childhood fascinated by these majestic animals that roamed the Park. Now he has fulfilled his ambition by spending a year following their progress and recording their activities from the moment of conception to the birth of a young fawn, the following year. But deer are not just confined to the Phoenix Park. Terry travels to South Co. Wicklow to spot wild and elusive deer there. Getting close to wild deer is nowhere like as easy as watching the deer in the Park. Possibly the best known of the deer species is the reindeer and Terry travelled to Lapland to see them and discover how they have become adapted to the harsh conditions present there. The recent Foot and Mouth scare sent shivers down the spines of those concerned with our deer populations, not least the Fallow Deer in the Park. Terry looks at the measures taken to prevent this infection spreading to the Park and what lessons can be learned from this tragedy. He also speaks with the Irish Deer Society and discovers the role they play in helping to conserve our deer. The population of Fallow Deer have been present in the Phoenix Park for over 300 years now. They have become an icon, not just to to Dubliners, but to everybody in Ireland. Many placenames throughout the country are derived from the former presence of fallow deer, or more particularly the parks in which they were confined. There are locations called Deerpark in at least 16 counties.The highlight of the year long project for Terry was the birth of a young fawn and the subsequent intensive study, tagging and monitoring of the individual animals following their release by the Mammal Research team from UCD led by Dr. Tom Hayden. Presented by Terry Flanagan Producer by : Derek MooneyFirst Broadcast 2006An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland

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