Study on the Home Range of Domesticated and Released Roe Deer and Its Seasonal Changes

Abstract The roe deer ( Capreolus pygargus ), a medium-sized ungulate widely distributed across Eurasia, Its existence is crucial for maintaining biodiversity. Wild release is an important means to restore its wild population. However, studies on the spatial utilization patterns and adaptability of released individuals are still scarce. This study focused on 10 roe deer (2 males and 8 females) released in the Wuling Mountain Nature Reserve in Beijing, using GPS collars for tracking (from June 2021 to March 2025), combined with Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) and Linear Mixed Models (LMM), to analyze their home range size, seasonal variations, and vertical migration patterns, in order to evaluate the spatial adaptation strategies of the released individuals and provide scientific basis for subsequent reintroduction plans. The results showed that the average 50% core home range area of the released roe deer was 0.28 ± 0.21 km², and the 95% home range area was 1.76 ± 1.16 km². There was no significant difference between male and female individuals. The average area of the roe deer during winter and autumn was significantly larger than that in summer, and the activity range was the largest in winter. When the temperature was lower, the roe deer's activity altitude was lower (about 700 m), and when the temperature was higher, the roe deer began to move to the 900 m altitude range. In summer, the roe deer mostly moved to high-altitude areas, while in winter, the roe deer were significantly active in lower-altitude areas. This study not only provides scientific basis for the population recovery of roe deer but also offers references for the wild release and habitat management strategies of other ungulates.