Fukushima University, Nara University of Education, and Yamagata University joint research groups examined the blood relationship of deer in Nara City by DNA analysis, and investigated the origin of deer in the management area and the status of mating.
Wild sika deer in Nara Park are an important tourist resource, but deer often cause agricultural damage in Nara City. The city has been divided into three areas: a protected area, a managed area, and a buffer area, and in the managed area, a trapping project has been carried out to prevent damage. However, it was unclear where the deer in the management area came from.
Therefore, the research group surveyed the deer relationships of deer and the distribution of blood -related individuals in the protection area and management districts in DNA analysis. From the protection area, the Nara Park is collected two points (in front of the Great Buddha and Hibino) and the 2 individuals of the Nonjika feces at the Nara University of Education. From the management area (Oyaga, Tahara, Higashi -ri, Seika, Saya, Yagyu), Nara Prefecture provided 30 -caught muscle samples.
As a result, most of the protected areas have a genetic characteristics of Nara Park, but it is highly likely that they have entered from outside the city. On the other hand, in the management area, there were plural deer deer from outside Nara City, and it was mixed with individuals with unique genetic characteristics that seem to be derived from protection areas. It was also found that the area around the buffer area was crossing with a deer from outside Nara City with an individual with its own genetic characteristics of Nara Park.
The deer in Nara Park have been isolated for over 1000 years and are said to have preserved their unique genetic characteristics. However, with the current increase in deer between Nara City and the expansion of distribution, the long -term isolation and genetic uniqueness of Nara Park's deer groups were changing. In the future, there is a need for discussions on "what you want to protect in the long term" and a social agreement on the protection and management of "Nara's deer" and the way as a natural monument.
Paper information:[Conservation Science and Practice] The Sacred Deer Conflict of Management After NETIC Identity
