Ireland has three species, Red, Sika and Fallow Deer.
Sika Deer were first brought to Ireland in 1860 by Lord Powerscourt to his estate in Co. Wicklow. The breed arrived in Killarney in 1865 as game deer. One stag and two hinds were released in the Muckross Estate and today there are between 600 and 700 in the National Park area. The Killarney herd of Sika Deer is one of only three in the world that are nearest to the pure bred Sika. They are on the endangered species list since 1987 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The threat of Red Deer crossed with Sika hybridisation is the greatest worry now in the Killarney area. Hybridisation has occurred in most parts of the world, including other parts of Ireland.
The Sika Deer is the smallest of the three species of deer in Ireland. The summer coat is light brown with white spots. In contrast the winter coat is dark-grey and can look quite black from a distance. The rump patch is white at all times and flares out when the animal is startled.
The antlers are characteristically V-shaped and many have from four to six points, four being the most common. They begin to grow in the second year in April and finish in August. They are cast every year in April and new antlers begin to grow again. While growing they are covered in velvet to protect the antler and help supply minerals to the new bone.
Sika deer travel in small herds. The rut season begins in September and lasts about six weeks. During the rut the stag utters a high pitched scream which sounds like a whistle to mark out his territory and warn other stags to keep away
Calves are born in May/June and are covered with white spots. Sika calves stay with their mothers for one year until next year’s calf is born.