Silka Deer

Sika deer were introduced from ASIA to Brownsea Island in 1856, not long afterwards they swam ashore and colonised the local countryside. From there they have began spreading further afield.

They are now widespread and expanding in Scotland. Still patchy in England (bands exist across the north and south)

They are between roe and red deer in size. And prefer Coniferous woodlands and heaths on acid soils. Sika are Grazers of grasses and dwarf shrubs, especially heather. Coniferous tree shoots and tree bark may occasionally be taken in small quantities.

Sika are fairly unsocial, tending to be solitary for most of the year and only form small groups in winter. The sexes are strongly segregated and occupy discrete geographic ranges for most of the year, only coming together to mate. Sika are more active during the hours of darkness in populations experiencing frequent disturbance.

Sika have a wide repertoire of vocalisations. Stags groan, blow raspberries, yak-yak and give a high-pitched whistle during the rut or can emit a startling scream! Hinds with calves whine and calves reply with a bleat or squeak. When alarmed both sexes give a short, high-pitched bark.

The breeding season, or rut, occurs from the end of September to November. The environment has a strong influence on mating strategy. Typically stags defend a rutting territory, much like fallow deer, and they may also switch to harem-holding when a group of hinds has been assembled.

Browsing of tree shoots and agricultural crops and bark stripping and bole scoring (gouging with the antlers) of plantation trees puts sika in conflict with farmers and foresters due to economic damage.

Silka populations require careful management to maintain health and quality and ensure a sustainable balance with their environment. Sika are becoming regarded as a pest in areas of conflict since the damage that they cause is serious and the rate of hybridisation with red deer alarming.

Silka Deer

Vital Statistics

Deer in the UK