Study

Effectiveness of odour repellents on red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): a field test

  • Published source details Elmeros M., Winbladh J.K., Andersen P.N., Madsen A.B. & Christensen J.T. (2011) Effectiveness of odour repellents on red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): a field test. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 57, 1223-1226.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use chemical repellents along roads or railways

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Use chemical repellents along roads or railways

    A replicated, controlled, before-and-after study in 2006 in a conifer plantation in Denmark (Elmeros et al. 2011) found that repellents, Mota FL and Wolf Urine (trialled for potential to deter animals from roads), did not reduce visits by deer. Roe deer Capreolus capreolus visited a similar number of Moto FL-treated plots after application (6–8 plots/day) and before (4–8 plots/day). Visit rates to untreated plots were similar after application in treatment plots (7–8 plots/day) compared to before (5–8 plots/day). The same pattern held for red deer Cervus elaphus treatment plots (after: 1–3 plots/day); before: 0–4 plots/day) and untreated plots (after: 2–4 plots/day; before: 0–3 plots/day). Roe deer visited a similar number of Wolf Urine-treated plots after application (7–9 plots/day) and before (7–9 plots/day). Visit rates to untreated plots were similar after application in treatment plots (6–9 plots/day) compared to before (6–9 plots/day). The same pattern held for red deer treatment plots (after: 1–4 plots/day; before: 1–3 plots/day) and untreated plots (after: 0–4 plots/day; before: 0–4 plots/day). Eighteen sand arenas (4 m diameter, ≥400 m apart) included nine for repellent treatments and nine controls. Arenas were baited with beet and maize every 3–4 days or as required, for two months. Deer tracks were monitored daily for seven days before repellent was sponged onto four scent posts at each treatment arena. Track monitoring continued for seven further days. Mota FL was assessed from 7–21 February 2006. Repellent posts were then cleaned with alcohol and Wolf Urine assessed from 8–22 March 2006.

    (Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust