[Endoparasites in game animals and the interaction with cattle]

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Wildlife Management
• Veterinary Parasitology

Background:

• Understanding interspecies competition for resources is crucial for wildlife conservation.
• Cattle and game, particularly roe-deer, share habitats, leading to potential resource overlap.
• Altitude gradients significantly influence ecological dynamics and species interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the ecological interactions between cattle and game, specifically roe-deer.
• To analyze the challenges of winter feeding and parasite control in shared environments.
• To assess the economic implications of these interactions on hunting and game populations.

Main Methods:

• Long-term field study across low, middle, and sub-Alpine regions.
• Observation of cattle and roe-deer populations and their resource utilization.
• Analysis of winter feeding strategies and parasite prevalence.

Main Results:

• Identified resource competition patterns between cattle and roe-deer at different altitudes.
• Documented specific winter feeding behaviors and challenges for both species.
• Assessed the prevalence of key parasites affecting game populations in shared pastures.

Conclusions:

• Interspecies interactions between cattle and roe-deer necessitate adaptive management strategies.
• Effective parasite control and sustainable winter feeding plans are vital for game health.
• Balancing agricultural use with wildlife conservation is essential for economic viability of hunting and game