LIFE Project Number LIFE11 NAT/IT/00210 (CUP n. I92D12000100006)

One , two islands

Conservation of elaphus corsicanus in and Corse THE SARDINIAN-CORSICAN RED DEER Cervus elaphus corsicanus

The Sardinian-Corsican red deer belongs to the family Cervidae and to the genus Cervus, which includes numerous species observed in , North America, in most part of the Asian continent and in some areas of North Africa. The origin of the Sardinian deer is most likely related to human action. The most reliable theories consider the Sardinian deer as a distinct subspecies (C. e. corsicanus). Besides, given the complete lack of fossil remains, they suppose that its presence on the island and in the neighbouring Corse may be the consequence of the introduction of individuals from the Middle East or North Africa, occurred in the last period of the Bronze Age (1200 - 700 BC.).

Sardinia In the past the deer lived in all wooded areas of Sardinia. Its presence is attested since the Nuragic period by numerous bronzes statues depicting deer in various activities. Historical accounts show that between late 1700s and early 1800s, the species was still abundant on the island and was highly regarded as hunter prey and for its economic value. In fact there’s evidence of the trade of living deer, skins and antlers. In the following years, however, the condition of the Sardinian deer worsened dramatically, due to many factors acting together. In the last post-war period, in spite of the prohibition of hunting established in 1939, the range of the species was further reduced: apart from the mountains of Sulcis, Arburese and Sarrabus, there were only relic cores nuclei. The main causes that led to the depletion of the Sardinian deer and to the local extinction of the species in most part of Sardinia are the indiscriminate logging of forests, excessive hunting, fires and the increase of domestic breeding. This has led to the fragmentation of the suitable and a remarkable reduction of the population size, two conditions particularly dangerous for the species conservation.

2 The loss of a suitable habitat has de facto isolated the different populations (with the interruption of exchanges of individuals between different nuclei), thus reducing the genetic variability of the populations and, consequently, their adaptation skills to the environmental variability. In addition, the low density of population exposed the isolated nuclei to the threat of extinction: a low number of individuals, in fact, makes them less resistant to random catastrophic events (fires, poaching, particularly dry summers, etc.).

Decline in range of Cervus elaphus corsicanus from 1850 to 1970.

The last natural populations of deer in Sardinia were all located in the province of (Sarrabus, Sulcis, Arburese) and the nuclei within these ranges occupied a total area of about 300 square kilometres. Thanks to the awareness raising campaigns and to conservation actions, in recent years there has been an increase both in the number of individuals and in their distribution (due to reintroduction programs). Despite that, the residual poaching activities observed in these delicate still require a surveillance of the territory. In 1988 the total population of deer was made up of about 850-870 individuals: it is currently estimated at about 7,000 deer.

3 Numbers of deer in Sardinia 2013

1. Sulcis 2075 heads (15,046 ha) 2. Sarrabus 1175 heads (5,471 ha) 3. Montimannu 275 heads (1,490 ha) 4. Villasalto 240 heads (1,245 ha) 5. Arburese 1500 heads (12,977 ha) 6. Laconi 40 heads (1,598 ha) 7. Usellus 60 heads (1,472 ha) 8. Pabarile 60 heads 9. not available 10. Montarbu 80 heads (2,700 ha) 11. Urzulei 25 heads 12. M. Lerno 415 heads (3,000 ha) 13. M. Olia 205 heads (4,157 ha)

Deer ranges

Corse Until the thirties of last century, the main cause of local extinctions of deer was the indiscriminate hunting. Later, human activities such as the cutting of forest and the heavy hunting after the Second World War have reduced dramatically the size of the remaining nuclei. Despite the deer hunting was definitively prohibited in 1948, the poaching continued until the complete extinction of the species in the island in 1970. Immediately after the extinction, a series of projects were planned in order to reintroduce deer, bringing founder individuals from Sardinia. The first bilateral project started in 1975 and was aimed at creating natural populations in both islands to ensure the conservation of the taxon, also in conjunction with local disasters such as epidemics or fires. The project included also a program of captive breeding, with the creation of breeding fenced areas also in Corse. It began with a first fenced area in Quenza, on the side of Mount Incudine, which was followed by the construction of other fences in Casabianda, on the east coast, and in 1994 in Ania, in the mountain area of Fium'Orbu. The first four deer were transported from Sardinia in the fenced area of Quenza in 1985 and other four in 1987. Then other individuals were released in the fences of Casabianda and Ania. In the following years the increase of nuclei in the fenced areas experienced a variable trend, due in part to the different environmental characteristics of the areas.

4

Extinctions and reintroductions of the deer in Corse. a) extinction date in various areas; b) location of the three enclosure for captive breeding program; c) location of the three reintroduction sites (da Kidjo et al., 2007).

Since 1998 reintroduction in nature was realized in three Corsican areas. At present the deer distribution on the Island involves 6 different populations. With the roar censuses, in 2012, it was possible to estimate a total amount of 835 deer, with population density ranging from 2.5 to 7.1 heads / km2.

5 Legal status of Cervus elaphus corsicanus Berne Convention It is included in Annex II of the Bern Convention, which identifies the "strictly protected species of fauna". Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC It is listed in Annexes II ( species of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation) and IV (Animal and species of community interest in need of strict protection). French National Law – July 26. 2000, n. 698 - modified The red deer is an hunting species, however in Corse the hunting of the subspecies is prohibit. Italian National Law - February 11, 1992, n. 157 It is inlcuded in the list of specially protected species, art. 2, paragraph 1. Law of Region Sardinia - July 29, 1998, n. 23 It is included in Annex 1, which lists the and bird species especially protected under Article 5, paragraph 3.

PROJECT LIFE NATURE "ONE DEER, TWO ISLANDS" The deer conservation program in Sardinia and Corse is part of an organic action, aimed at the full recovery of this taxon, already started in the past with: the reintroduction initiatives realized by the Forest Authority of Sardinia; the establishment of wildlife areas reserved to the nuclei of reproduction; the reintroduction initiatives carried out since the 90s of last century in Sardinia and . The project involves the Forest Authority of Sardinia (Ente Foreste Sardegna), The Province of Medio Campidano, the Province of Ogliastra, the Regional Park of Corse and the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA). The LIFE project aims are: 1. establishing new wild populations of deer in Sardinia; 2. increasing the number of individuals in the populations inhabiting Ogliastra;

6 3. promoting the natural expansion of the deer populations that live close to the reintroduction areas in Sardinia; 4. increasing the genetic variability of deer populations inhabiting Corse; 5. creating a metapopulation, through ecological corridors identified by models of habitat suitability developed for the Sardinian-Corsican red deer, in order to allow the interconnection between all the populations present in nature; 6. involving all sectors of society implicated in the wildlife management (hunters, environmentalists, farmers) in order to create a shared positive attitude towards the activities of conservation and wildlife in general.

Areas of intervention The conservation program will be implemented in 5 Sites of Community Importance (SCI) of Sardinia and in 3 of Corse. Monte Arcuentu e Rio Piscinas (ITB040031). The site covers a surface of 11,487 ha and is characterized by disused mining sites and a coastal area of great ecological relevance, due to the presence of one of the most important dune areas in Europe. The cliff vegetation includes many endemic species. The sandy and rocky coastal strip is covered with Mediterranean scrub, with a predominance of Juniperus oxycedrus and Pistacia lentiscus. The reliefs are covered with forests of holm (Quercus ilex) and cork oak (). In the SCI there are: 43 species of endemic , 14 species of reptiles (including Emys orbicularis, Eupletes European, Algyroides fitzingeri), of conservation interest such as Speleomantes genei and sardus and 63 species of birds, of which 16 are listed in Annex I of Directive 2009/147/EC. In the same area there is also a historical population of Sardinian-Corsican red deer, made up of about 2,000 individuals, which will be used as the main source of deer for reintroductions. In addition, in the same S.C.I. will be realized environmental management actions, focused particularly to the creation of ecological corridors for deer.

Golfo di Orosei (ITB020014). With a surface of 28,941 ha located in the north-east coast of Sardinia, it consists of about 40 km of limestone cliffs, dotted with numerous coves known as "codule". The SCI is characterized by a predominance of of holm oak (Quercus ilex) and juniper (Juniperus spp.). The shrub layer is characterized by Pistacia lentiscus, Rhamnus alaternus, Phillyrea latifolia, Erica arborea and Arbustus unedo. There are several vertebrate species of conservation interest as the cave salamander (Speolomantes supramontis), the Tyrrhenian painted (Discoglossus sardus), the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the Scopoli's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), the mouflon (Ovis aries) and various species of bats including Rhinolophus hipposideros and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. In this area the LIFE project involves the creation of a new population of Sardinian-Corsican red deer in nature.

7 Monti del (ItB021103). The site covers a surface of 44,713 ha and stretches into the most important mountainous area of Sardinia, with peaks exceeding 1,800 m above sea level. The predominant habitats are arboreus matorral with Juniperus spp., the Mediterranean areas with spiny broom (Calycotome spinosa) and forests of holm oak (Quercus ilex). There are also numerous endemic species of flora, such as Festuca morisiana, Armeria sardoa genargentea, Euphrasia genargentea. In the same SCI area live also some amphibians exclusive of Sardinia such as the Sardinian brook salamander (Euproctus platycephalus) and the Imperial cave salamander (Speleomantes imperialis). Numerous species of birds listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive 2009/147 / EC were observed. Also in this area it is planned to establish a new population of Sardinian-Corsican red deer, reinforcing also the core nucleus reintroduced in 2011. Supramonte di Oliena, Orgosolo e Urzulei – Su Sercone (ITB022212). The SCI is located in the north-east of Sardinia. It’s a karst plateau with an altitude ranging between 110 m and 1,463 m above sea level. The most representative habitats are the holm oak forests and calcareous rocky habitats with herbaceous plants settled in small ledges and crevices of the rock walls (chasmophytic vegetation). Three plant species are of community interest: Ribes sardoum, Brassica insularis, Centranthus amazonum. There are 28 animal species of community interest, among them: the Supramonte cave salamander, the mouflon, the Sardinian goshawk Accipiter gentilis arrigonii and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Among the actions under the LIFE, a nucleus of specimen of Sardinian-Corsican red deer will be released in this SCI area. Marganai (ITB041111). The territory of the SCI (23,628 ha) is characterized mainly by a mountainous morphology with two important peaks: Mount Linas, with Palaeozoic reliefs of schist and granite, and Mount Marganai, with reliefs of carbonate and schist. The flora of the area includes 950 taxa, with some Sardinian endemic species (eg. Anchusa montelinasana, Armeria sulcitana, Genista morisii, Genista sulcitana) and Sardinian- Corsican endemic species. The natural woodlands habitats are mainly forests and scrubland belonging to the Mediterranean habitat (class Quercetea ilicis). Among the amphibians we mention the Gene’s cave salamander (Speleomantes genei) and the Tyrrhenian painted frog (Discoglossus sardus); among the reptiles the European pond turtle and the European leaf-toed gecko (Euleptes europaea). With regard to birdlife there are numerous species including golden eagles, Bonelli's eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), the goshawk, the Eleonora's falcon (Falco eleonorae) and the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus brookei). There is a population of Sardinian-Corsican deer. The actions of the project are aimed at the creation of an ecological network to promote the exchange of individuals with the population of Costaverde (Arburese). Plateau of Coscione and Massif of Incudine (FR9400582). The site has a surface of 11,228 ha and is located in the central area of Corse. It is characterized by a mid-mountainous territory, with an euro-Siberian physiognomy (beech, fir, larch, alder odorous). Numerous springs, streams, and marshes characterize the hilly and rugged land. The area is rich in endemic species such as the Trisetum conradiae and the Trisetum gracile, and

8 almost the entire world population of Aconitum corsicum and Herniaria latifolia, two plants included in Annex II and IV. Furthermore, there are many animals mentioned in the Habitats Directive, such as the Tyrrhenian painted frog (Discoglossus sardus), the great capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo), the Hermann tortoise (Testudo hermanni) and the mouflon. The site is home to the largest population of deer on the island, estimated at more of 300 individuals, re- introduced in 1998 and increased in 2002. The LIFE project foresees a further reinforcement of the population to increase the genetic variability. Platuau du Rotondu (FR9400578). The site, located in the geological series of "Granite of central Corse of medium grain", covers an area of 15,295 ha and is characterized by three mountain valleys: Tavignano, Restonica and Verghello valley. There is a great biological and landscape variety. The vegetation consists mainly of oak and beech trees and a thick scrub. The Plateau of Rotondu has a rich endemic flora (e.g.: Corsican euphorbia, located on the plateau of Campotile) and three plants included in Annex II of the Habitat Directive: the Paronycheae latifolia, the Euprasia genargentea and the Island cabbage (Brassica insularis). Oak forest and Juniper bush of Tartagine (FR9402004). It consists of land on gneiss and granite bedrock, shallow and dry except in shelf and watershed areas. The main threat to this area is represented by the risk of fire. The territory of the site is characterized by various habitats included in Annex I of Habitats Directive: the oak forest, the juniper bush with red juniper and siliceous gravel. There are also many species mentioned in Annex II and IV of the Habitats Directive: the Tyrrhenian painted frog, the great capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo), the Hermann tortoise, the wild cat, the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus). The Sardinian-Corsican red deer lives in the site and in the surrounding area, with an estimated population of 90 individuals, which originated in 2007 thanks to a reintroduction initiative. In 2014, within the LIFE project, it was increased the population to boost the genetic variability.

Suitability of the founder animals The choice of the founder animals for reintroduction projects is of great importance, in order to select only animals belonging to the same taxonomic group of the population already present in the same territory, thus avoiding a negative impact on the population of origin. The choice of the population from which collect individuals must also take into account the numerical size of the population, avoiding to put at risk the smaller ones. An important aspect of the translocation is associated with health risks, with particular reference to the possible introduction of animals suffering from infectious diseases. In order to minimize health risks due to reintroduction actions, all the selected founders individuals will be housed for a few days in specific facilities, pending the results of laboratory analysis. To avoid the risk of consanguinity of individuals and the consequent loss of genetic variability, it has been made a specific genetic study on the deer population of Sardinia and Corse.

9 Localization of sampled red deer.

A total of 60 individuals were analysed using 16 markers previously used on deer and cattle; all loci resulted 100% polymorphic, both in Sardinian (27) and Corsican (n. 33) individuals. The following table shows the values of allelic richness and of heterozygosity observed and expected for the two islands.

Na Ne Ho He Sardinia Mean 3,750 2,427 0,454 0,558 SE 0,348 0,158 0,047 0,032 Corsica Mean 3,813 2,375 0,478 0,534 SE 0,356 0,204 0,037 0,037 Na mean number of allels; Ne = effective number of allels; Ho observed heterozygosity; He = expected heterozygosity. The Hardy-Weinberg test shows a significant difference between observed and expected heterozygosity for deer sampled in Sardinia, where there is an excess of homozygotes, while the balance is respected among the Sardinian-Corsican red deer. The calculation of the inbreeding coefficient of the sampled deer was made by identifying 10 nuclei, of which 6 from Sardinia and the remaining 4 from Corse. Such subdivision is exclusively based on a geographical parameter (the capture site of the animals). Sardinia shows an overall average inbreeding (0,242) higher compared to Corse (0,215). Considering the division into nuclei related to sampling, the Sardinian ‘populations' (excluding 'pop4' that is made up only of one individual) and the Corsican fences (cors1, cors2, cors3) show inbreeding average values ranging from 0,128 to 0,341. The Quenza fence (cors2) and the population of Settefratelli (pop3) registred the lowest values.

10 Pop N. samples Ho F pop1 - Costaverde 7 Mean 0,490 0,341 SE 0,063 0,019 pop2 - Montimannu 5 Mean 0,538 0,288

SE 0,065 0,005 pop3 - Settefratelli 6 Mean 0,400 0,128 SE 0,048 0,012 Pop – S. Pantaleo 1 Mean 0,438 0,059 SE 0,128 0,000 S A R D E G N A pop5 – Monte Arcosu 6 Mean 0,388 0,250 SE 0,069 0,094 pop6 - 2 Mean 0,531 0,221 SE 0,096 0,007 cors1 (Casabianda) 17 Mean 0,474 0,252 SE 0,046 0,027

cors2 (Quenza) 12 Mean 0,493 0,157 E SE 0,034 0,046 cors3 (Ania) 3 Mean 0,417 0,186 C O R S SE 0,089 0,026 PNRC 1 Mean 0,563 0,360 SE 0,128 0,000 Mean inbreeding value( F) and mean observed heterozygosis (Ho) in sampled areas.

Groups of deer based on a geographical parameter showed different inbreeding and variability values, with a low variability among the populations of Cervus elaphus corsicanus, justified by the natural history of the subspecies, characterized by reductions in the size of the populations (genetic bottlenecks) and reintroduction programs.

Corse. Reintroductions should preferably be performed with individuals selected from the fence of Quenza (Corse) and from Sardinia, providing the capture of deer also from the population of Settefratelli (nuclei 'pop3'). Sardegna. Even for the reintroductions planned in Sardinia, it will be necessary to select individuals from different natural populations (providing catches also in the nucleus of Settefratelli), in order to increase the genetic variability of the newly-formed populations.

11 Reintroduction in Ogliastra: 2009-2011 pilot study In 2009, the Forest Authority (EFS) of Sardinia and the ISPRA, in collaboration with the province of Ogliastra, realized a pilot project of reintroduction to check the critical and limiting factors related to this type of activities and to assess the real possibilities of success of a wider and coordinated program between Sardinia and Corse. During the project 30 deer were released (12 males, 18 females), 22 of which in the wildlife protection oasis of "Taccu" of Ulassai (showed in red in the figure) and 8 in the wildlife protection oasis of "Montarbu", located in Seui (showed in blue in the figure). All the captures were made by tele-anesthesia. The geographical origin of the animals was distributed as follows: 20 samples were selected from the fence of "Montarbu" and 10 from the historical range of Costa Verde (Province of Medio Campidano). 21 animals were equipped with GPS/GSM collars, scheduled with a daily monitoring frequency of 6 fix / day and fortnightly monitoring frequency of 48 fix / day. During the study period, only one individual died in the reintroduced population, as a consequence of a poaching act. The maximum dispersion from the release point for the whole population was on average equal to 4,892 m (± 1,857). The individual who showed the greatest dispersion was a female, released in "Taccu", reaching a maximum distance of 10,504 m; while a male released in "Montarbu" showed the minimum dispersion (2,655 m from the input site). The annual vital area of the animals was determined through the Minimum Convex Polygon method, and resulted on average of approximately 923 ha (± 532 SD). The annual vital area of the animals released in "Taccu" was more extended compared to the one of the individuals released in "Montarbu". Furthermore, the analysis of the monthly vital areas showed an increase of their size in conjunction with the hunting season. As illustrated in the chart below, at the opening of the hunting season there is a remarkable increase of the extension of vital areas, probably due to the increased mobility of the animals during this period because of the noise caused by the hunting of wild boar with dogs.

1.000 ha

home ranges

ly Month 0 5 10 15 20

Months from the release date. Red line is the Home ranges of the rentroducted . hunting period.

12 Reintroduction sites For the identification areas suitable for Cervus elaphus corsicanus in Corse and Sardinia it was created a specific model of habitat suitability through the "maximum entropy modelling" method, an approach commonly used for modelling the distribution of animal species. It was chosen the model of maximum entropy to identify areas suitable for the introduction of the Sardinian-Corsican deer, in that such method is particularly useful to detect the presence of false negatives (data of absence not verified). This aspect is especially critical for species occupying only part of their range. In addition, the maximum entropy models are suitable also for samples of small size. To realize the model it was used the Maxent software, making 100 replicas. The map of environmental suitability was calculated by applying the Maxent models to the whole territory of Sardinia and Corse. For the development of the suitability model we used the following data on the presence of deer: • Sardinia: localizations of roaring males in the bellowing areas monitored by the Forest Authority of Sardinia; localizations collected during the censuses carried out through the thermic scanner in the areas of Costaverde and Monte Arcosu; radio-telemetric data related to individuals introduced in Ogliastra during the pilot study. • Corse: roaring areas identified by the PNRC; localization of individuals equipped with VHF radio collars. The environmental variables used for the two islands are: digital model of the soil; habitat type (1. urban areas, 2. arboreal agriculture, 3. managed forests, 4. natural woodlands, 5. meadows pastures, 6. scrub-bushes, 7. extensive farming, 8.intensive agriculture, 9. sparse vegetation, 10. dunes, 11. waters; distance from the streets; steepness; distance from the woods; distance from the rivers; exposure; index of Shannon; forest fragmentation (used types: core, isolated, perforated, edge); distance from the core woods. In general the results of the analysis performed by Maxent proved to be reliable (AUC value = 0.894 for Sardinia and 0.866 for Corse) and the most important variables are core forests and land use. The two suitability models made it possible to identify the priority areas in which introduce individuals.

Sardegna SIC ITB021103 – Forestry area “Rio Nuxi” – “Montarbu” SIC ITB020014 - Forestry area “Silana” SIC ITB022212 - Forestry area "Monte Genziana" Corse: SIC FR9402004 – “Chênaie verte et juniperaie de la Tartagine” SIC FR9400578 – “Massif du Rotondo” SIC FR9400582 – “Plateau du Cuscione et Massif de l'Incudine”

Habitat suitability for deer in ; suitability values increasing from blue to red.

13 Simulation of the population dynamics The evaluation of the extinction risk or of the persistence of a population is critical in the early stages of a reintroduction project, when the limited number of idividuals cause an extreme vulnerability of the populations to stochastic factors. Simulations on the population dynamics allow, at this stage, to evaluate the newly-formed colony trend in numerical terms and provide the basis for planning reintroduction and restocking interventions. The survival probability was assessed using the Vortex software, by entering the reproductive parameters and the mortality rates reported in the literature. The simulation planned the introduction of 20 individuals the first year and other 20 individuals the following year. Moreover, it also considered 2 possible catastrophic events: the presence of poaching actions with different frequencies of occurrence (percentages of 50, 25, 12, 8, 2 in 100 years) and the event of a fire (probability equal to 2% in 100 years). The results show that the poaching impact plays a key role in the success of the reintroduction initiatives. The presence of illegal captures obviously has a negative impact on the population dynamics. The most evident are: the non-achievement of the bearing capacity, the steady decrease in the number of individuals from the 18th year following the reintroduction (considering the probability equal to 50%), and finally the extinction of the populations with high rates of poaching within 100 years of time.

Catastrophe: Poaching 2%

8%

50% 12% Survival rate

25%

Years from the reintroduction

The figure shows that the achievement of the bearing capacity of the population will only be possible in case of low levels of poaching. As a consequence, it should be ensured the maximum effort to control poaching, both through advocacy for the reintroduction projects and through the increased surveillance in the areas of release and in the territories most used by individuals after the range stabilization. The pilot reintroduction program carried out in Ogliastra showed a low impact of poaching on the founder individuals and therefore good survival chances of the nuclei of deer. Feasibility To assess the feasibility of the reintroduction of Cervus elaphus corsicanus in suitable areas of Sardinia and Corsica, it was used an analytic tool to support the decision-making process. The technique used is the SWOT analysis (Strengths-Weakness-Opportunities-Threats)

14 that helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses (internal factors) of a project, and at the same time to identify the positive or negative external factors (opportunities and threats) able to influence it. SWOT analysis to assess the project's feasibility Strenghts Weaknesses § Presence of suitabile habitat for the § Risk of overlapping of the intervention species area with the mouflon habitat area, in § Lack of natural predators that can case of expansion of the latter affect the dynamics of the species § Complex socio-cultural framework, Internal § Presence of protected areas within with high risks of poaching acts and factors the territory of intervention excessive hunting pressure, with the § Collaboration with organizations and presence of free dogs used for institutions for the health monitoring hunting activities § Monitoring of reintroduced animals (radiotracking, thermic scanner, etc.) Opportunities Threats § Creating a population of Sardinian- § Possible presence of diseases Corsican red deer that should get in § Anthropogenic disturbance in the touch in the medium term with summer season other population wildliving § Disturbance due to hunting of other § Increased ecological knowledge on species, with the hound the species thanks to monitoring § Presence of domestic livestock External activities factors § Cultural growth of the local human population and of the hunters’ community thanks to awareness campaingns and training courses § Increased surveillance in areas currently at risk with regard to illegal hunting practices

The analysis of the critical factors showed as the main weaknesses and threats are related to the socio-cultural context, with particular reference to hunting. As for the human factor, however, the project will directly involve the social components and provide awareness-raising actions and training initiatives. This should lead to a reduction of the poaching risks and at the same time would provide an important opportunity of cultural growth to the hunting community. The intensification of surveillance and the intensive monitoring explicitly required in the project's planning, could also result in a reduction of the hunting practices harmful to other species. As for the health aspects, since it is not possible to realize a preventive action, a detailed monitoring plan was prepared, which is one of the strengths of the entire project. Given the availability of areas suitable for the presence of the species, and in consideration of the predominance of strengths and opportunities on the factors that can negatively influence the project, the judgment of feasibility is positive, provided that all the information originating from the monitoring realized after the release of individuals will be taken into consideration.

15 Actions of release and monitoring During the project, 120 individuals are expected to be released in the identified areas in Sardinia and Corsica. The estimate of the dimension of the populations have shown that most of them are able to support the withdrawal of individuals in the 4 years of the project, both the three historical ones (Sulcis, Serrabus and Arburese) and some of the ones recently formed (Montarbu). Furthermore, individuals of Quenza wildlife area (Corse) will be used and, depending on the success of the capture operations, also individuals from wildlife areas in Sardinia. Catches of individuals will be carried out through capture fences or through the free-ranging method, that involves the active search of the animals along the forest roads at night. The captured animals will undergo a first health check-up including: detection of body temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate; biological sampling. This will make it possible to verify the individuals’ health condition, with particular reference to diseases communicable to domestic livestock. Individuals will be released in the input areas only if the results have confirmed a good state of health and the absence of diseases. In order to verify the effectiveness of the reintroduction operations, each individual released will be given a unique marking that will allow the localization and recognition. In particular, the marking by radiocollars is to be considered of prior importance, mainly for the first individuals released, in order to obtain real time information on their survival, dispersion and habitat use. GPS radio collars will be used to record the location of the animals 6 times a day for a period of minimum 24 months. The project also includes other monitoring methods such as night census through the infrared camera (pictured left), the count of pellets and the evaluation of the impact of deer on vegetation. These methods will be used in all the areas of reintroduction, thus allowing to follow the evolution of the populations of deer and, if necessary, take further measures for their conservation and management.

Graphic elaboration ISPRA Photo credits. Archive PNRC: pag. 16 middle; Calabrese A.: pag. 3, 16 Cover down; Mondoloni S. & Comiti G. , PNRC: pag. 5, 8 down, 9 Franco Iozzoli up, 9 down; Pisapia M.: pag. 16 up; Riga F., ISPRA: pag. 2, 6, 7 up, 8 middle, 11; Saba A., EFS: pag. 7, down; Secci, D., Translation from italian EFS: pag. 8 up Daniela Genta www.onedeertwoislands.eu 16