MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Wild dogs endanger deer project

Wild dogs attacked and killed several Dama deer in a field just five kilometres from Puerto Natales, endangering a project to promote the breeding of deer in Magallanes Region.

The flock belongs to Juan Mc Lean a well known farmer of the area who has been experimenting with deer since 1999, when his project received official approval and financing from the regional Development Corporation.

"This is not a coincidence, this type of attacks by feral dogs has become quiet common, and not only against deer but also with sheep", said Mr. Mc Lean, underlining that so far "I've lost half my production. Today I have 150 deer, but I should actually be closer to 300. Nobody seems to be responsible for theses stray, wild packs of dogs".

The Magallanes Dama Deer project was begun by Mr. Mc Lean in April 1999 with 30 females and five males involving 12,000 US dollars, plus a long term 60,000 US dollars from the Development Corporation.

The project has technical support from Concepción University and is targeted to produce organic lean meat. Apparently the fat content of deer meat is below 12%.