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59 newborn fallow deer calves were caught, marked, clinically investigated and weighed within 24 hours after parturition. Simultaneously a blood sample was taken from the jugular vein for hematological investigation. Mean birth weight was 4.84 +/- 0.4 kg. Mean number of erythrocytes was 8.91 +/- 0.77 T/l, the hemoglobin concentration was 8.28 +/- 0.77 mmol/l and the PCV was 40.9 +/- 3.0%. A temporary physiological erythropenia as described for neonates of different species during early postnatal development was not found in newborn fallow deer calves. On the other hand the fallow deer calves were born with a remarkable little number of leukocytes (4.5 +/- 1.34 G/l). Granulocytes are dominant among the white blood cells in newborn and adult fallow deer. Only during the 3rd and 4th month of life the number of lymphocytes raised temporarily.

Some experiences were reported regarding long-distance transports of cattle, swine, wild deer, and rabbits. Generally, such transports can be considered permissible and practicable, provided the adequate requirements are met. Some recommendations regarding equipment and licensing of vehicles and organization of animal tending are given.

The winter grazing of wild ruminants on mantles of slate waste in the Harz mountains and in Gera county were richest in Mn whereas those on mantles of granite waste in the Erzgebirge were poorest. The flora of the shell-limestone, keuper and loess areas contains much less Mn than that of those acid habitats. The Mn-requirement of the wild ruminants grazing in the forests is met however, since bilberry plants (2,080 mg/kg), spruce twigs (984 mg/kg), spruce bark (827 mg/kg), oak twigs (791 mg/kg) and heather (754 mg/kg dry matter) in addition to many other plant species store extremely high amounts of Mn. Solely sallow twigs were poor in Mn (28 mg/kg). Based on 601 samples examined, the Mn supply of wild ruminants is extensively described. The rumen content reflected the plentiful Mn-supply of the wild ruminants living in forests (greater than 400 mg/kg) and the far worse one of field roes, particularly in Mn-deficiency areas for domesticated ruminants (mantle of shell-limestone waste 37 mg Mn/kg dry matter of rumen content). The indicator organs of the Mn-status (liver, covering hair, kidneys) verify the statements made concerning red deer, fallow deer and mouflons, of which a total of 170 head from 14 biotopes were examined. An Mn-deficit of field roes in Mn-deficiency habitats in winter cannot completely be excluded. Mouflons have not yet been able to adapt themselves to the excessive Mn-supply of the acid forest habitats in Central Europe. They stored significantly higher amounts of Mn in liver, covering hair, kidneys, cerebrum and ribs than the other wild ruminants and sheep and cattle. The normal Mn-content of the liver and the cerebrum of red deer, fallow deer and roes corresponds to that of sheep and cattle. Roes and fallow deer have winter covering hair poor in Mn (less than 4.0 mg/kg) in comparison to sheep and cattle.

A literature review of seasonal changes in metabolism and food intake and the accumulation of energy deposits (fat) during the natural mast period in autumn is linked to the results of feeding trials with roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) using supplementary feeding and/or planted crops to simulate the mast which is missing in conifer forests planted mainly for timber production. The results indicate that autumn mast simulation is more physiological and effective in reducing forest damage and increasing game quality than the traditional "emergency" winter feeding as practiced in Central Europe over hundred years.

The Cd-determination of 10 different winter grazings for wild ruminants in seven different biotopes showed significant differences of the habitats resulting from the previous Cd-emission of metallurgy smelting non-ferrous metals. The winter grazing of the Tharandt Forest and the Harz mountains contained significantly more Cd than that of the Lower Flaming hills, the western Erzgebirge and the northern agrarian areas. The bark and the tips of conifer twigs, twigs of oak and mountain ash, bilberry and heather plants, i. e. perennial plants resp. parts of plants proved to be particularly rich in Cd. On an average, wild ruminants consume more Cd than domesticated ruminants, which do not consume parts of perennial plants. The rumen contents of all wild ruminants contained, with 0.20 to 0.25 mg/kg dry matter more Cd than could be expected from the content of the grazing. In the Cd-contaminated areas the amount of Cd in the rumen contents too showed the Cd-load. The kidneys, livers and the covering hair of a total of 172 head red deer, roes and mouflons reflected the Cd-load and the dependence of the Cd-level on the age. The Cd-concentration ascertained in the organs of the wild ruminants was compared with that of sheep and cattle. The, on an average, higher Cd-load of the wild ruminants was confirmed. The kidneys of wild ruminants older than five years should, as a general principle, not be eaten and neither should the livers of animals from Cd-contaminated biotopes. The limb defects of mouflons from Cd-contaminated areas are discussed in connection with Cd-induced secondary Cu-deficiency resp. Mn- and Zn-deficiency. A reference is made to further works.