MOTHER-OFFSPRING ASSOCIATION IN RED DEER (CERVUS-ELAPHUS L) ON RHUM

The association between hinds and offspring less than two years old is described for various hind categories, divided according to sex of calf and reproductive status of mother. Female offspring are more frequently associated with their mothers than are male offspring. Hinds which do not breed again in the offspring's second year are more frequently associated with them than are hinds which do. Hinds which breed, but whose calves die, also associate more frequently with their preceding offspring than hinds whose calves survive, though not as highly as hinds which do not breed at all. There is a decrease in association between hinds and their male offspring during the rut. Possible causal and functional explanations for these differences are discussed. © 1979.