Postby TriP » September 1st, 2016, 12:53 am
Local Red Brocket Fawn ~ Editor's Note
The Baby Red Brocket Deer found in the Hike.
This deer, the Mazama Americana ( red Brocket Deer) is the only specie of deer found in Trinidad. It belongs to the Cervidae family, with it’s class being Mammalia. It is permitted to be hunted in Trinidad , during the open season , that is during the months January, February, October, November and December annually, ( Conservation of wild life Act ( 67: 01) and its attending Regulations ) If the Minister considers the specie is not in danger and permits hunting.
The animal is territorial, which means that it feeds and lives in a defined territory, it may however cross territories for the purposes of mating. The deer is largely know to be monogamous while the male may display tendencies of being polygamous, this largely depend on population size. If the population is large the polygamous nature is largely pronounced. There is no fixed mating period, young may be born at any time , the birthing period however is usually timed with the fruiting period, or the increase in forest Bio - mas which would ensure its survival either by providing feed or feed and cover.
This animal is very secretive and does not venture to expose itself by making sounds (as a goat for example) It would however provide bleating sounds , if it considers itself in danger as when it is held. The Doe (female) which is responsible for tending the fawn until it weans, (in about six months,)places the fawn in an area where it easily camouflages itself and would not easily be seen. It would then lie/sit down, also camouflaged a distance away, where it can see the movement of the fawn. This sitting down arrangement, to rest for the day is after roaming and feeding at nights. It usually takes place at about 4.30am on mornings in forest areas whereas in more open areas such as on agricultural lands at about 4.00 am. The reconnection with this fawn would take place at 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm depending on the moonlight and forest conditions. This animal has adapted to its immediate environment and would do all in its power to protect its fawn and itself.
The story as presented by the Hikers appear to have found the fawn in it’s camouflage position or have found it, after it was disturbed (accidentally walking ). I do not know the territory or type of forest hiked, what is clear is the animal cover was blown.
The Hikers indicated that the doe was killed by poachers, or was it killed? I do not have information if the Doe was in fact killed. The doe would not blow its cover, if it perceives danger beyond it’s control as with several persons surrounding it’s fawn. It may blow it’s cover if one of it’s predators which includes man directly approaches her and she senses danger. I know for a fact that illegal hunting or poaching is taking place throughout this country even in the sanctuaries. Poaching is like a cancer to wildlife and one identifies with the hiker who believes that the doe is dead and he should do something to ensure its survival.
The removal of the fawn from the forest was commendable for it would die, the mother of the fawn would return to reunite with it. On discovering that the fawn was interfered with by the touching and petting of the so many loving hands, the Doe would reject it for fear for its own safety, it would assume that the fawn is a trap and would attempt to leave it. The fawn unable to understand would follow the mother attempting to suck, the mother would then kill or almost kill the fawn and abandon it. It is the animal’s way to survive, to ensure that the specie is not polluted.
I am appealing to all forest users, let your purpose be your guide. Human sentiments although it can be expressed can interfere with an ecosystem un intentionally e.g killing a snake to free a bird. This may result in losing both snake and bird or preventing the snake from feeding.
