Ex situ conservation is essential for many endangered cervid species. In some ex situ populations building a large and stable population still remains a challenge. One of the factors influencing the growth rate and size of the ex situ population is the sex ratio and survivability of young individuals as more females than males are needed. A lot of factors are known to influence the sex-ratio in wild populations of ungulates but this has not been much studied in captivity even if these factors different effects and influence the husbandry.
The aim of my study is therefore to better understand the factors affecting sex ratio and survivability in captured deer populations and to broaden their husbandry knowledge for effective ex situ protection thus efficient breeding.
