Fallow deer
Fallow deer
Listen to an audio interview with scientist Alan McElligott who studies fallow deer
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Fallow deer are one of the six species of deer that live wild in the UK and like many other species of deer they have a seasonal rut. Although they have been here since the 11th century we are only now just starting to understand how that rut works.
Allen McElligott, a scientist at Queen Mary, University of London, has been studying the fallow deer rut to try and find out why certain males seem to be more successful in attracting a mate than others. Is it the size of their antlers, their looks or something a little bit deeper? Listen to him unravel the mysteries behind who gets to be top dog in the rut.
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