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Deer–vehicle collisions (DVCs) are a critical cause of mortality for the endangered Odocoileus virginianus clavium (Florida Key Deer; hereafter Key Deer). Extensive research has focused on large-scale Key Deer movements throughout their range and the corresponding relationship to DVCs (e.g., dispersal of juvenile males south across US Highway 1 [US 1]). Far less data are available about the relationships among short-term movement patterns (hourly and daily) of Key Deer, US 1 traffic patterns, and DVCs. We used global positioning system collars to track female Key Deer movements on short time scales on Big Pine Key in the Lower Florida Keys. We then cross-referenced this with US 1 traffic data and DVCs. We found a significant relationship between hourly female Key Deer movement and hourly DVCs throughout the 24-hour daily period (r = 0.505, P = 0.012). Hourly US 1 traffic patterns were significantly related to hourly DVCs only during night periods (r = 0.787, P = 0.012). This information will inform Key Deer management options such as variable timing of vehicle speed enforcement and warning lights along roadways.

The status of endangered Odocoileus virginianus clavium (Key Deer) on outer islands of Florida was unknown following several recent population declines. In response, we opportunistically monitored the western extent of the current range of Key Deer in Flordia using cameras and in-person observations to determine deer presence. We found evidence of Key Deer on islands at the far western edge of their current range such as Lower Sugarloaf Key, Saddlebunch Keys, Boca Chica Key, and the first documented occurrence of Key Deer on East Rockland Key. We recommend more intensive monitoring to determine the extent of the current range use and to calculate a range-wide abundance estimate.

Deer–vehicle collisions (DVCs) are the primary source of mortality for the endangered Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium). Of these collisions, >50% occur on United States Highway 1 (US 1), the primary roadway connecting the islands in the Florida Keys, USA. The DVCs on the 5.6-km section of US 1 on Big Pine Key are responsible for approximately 26% of annual Key deer mortality, but extensive urban development along this highway segment complicates efforts to reduce DVCs using traditional methods (e.g., fencing, underpasses). In 2002, a continuous 2.6-km system of 2.4-m fencing, 2 underpasses, and 4 experimental deer guards was completed. We evaluated the long-term effectiveness of these highway improvements in reducing DVCs within an urban landscape. Deer used the underpasses all 7 postconstruction years (2003–2009) with dramatic increases in use over the course of the project. Roadway fencing largely eliminated deer intrusion onto the fenced area of US 1. Although well-maintained fencing effectively restricted deer movement onto the fenced section of US 1 (73–100% decline), other sections of US 1 experienced increases in DVCs. Overall, highway improvements along the US 1 corridor were effective in reducing Key deer mortality over the long-term. The success of deer guards in preventing deer access into the fenced section of US 1 supported the feasibility of implementing similar wildlife exclusion projects in other urban areas. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.

In order to address endangered Florida Key deer Odocoileus virginianus clavium vehicle collisions along a 5.6-km segment of United States Highway 1 (US 1), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) constructed a 2.6-km long system of fencing, deer guards and two underpasses to exclude deer from roadway. The US 1 project was completed in 2002 for the purpose of minimizing Key deer mortality and maintaining deer permeability through the Big Pine Key (BPK) corridor, Florida, USA. We evaluated the potential impact of these modifications to Key deer movements by comparing 1) annual ranges and movements of Key deer pre- (January 1998 - December 2000) and post-construction (February 2003 - January 2004), 2) deer-vehicle collisions on US 1 pre- and post-construction, and 3) underpass use post-construction. Mean female and male annual ranges and core areas did not change (P>0.05) between pre- and post-construction. Deer movements within the US 1 project area were comparable pre- (six of 23 radio-col...

Status assessment of endangered Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) is currently limited by a paucity of information regarding population estimates for outer islands, which collectively comprise approximately 70% of potential habitat within the Key deer range. Practical limitations and financial considerations render traditional survey techniques impractical for application on remote outer islands. Our objective was to evaluate the utility of infrared-triggered cameras to estimate Key deer abundance on outer islands. We used digital infrared-triggered cameras and mark–resight methods to estimate Key deer abundance on 20 outer islands. Abundance estimates for primary subpopulations ranged from 15 to 16 for Howe Key, 5 to 10 for Knockemdown complex, and 13 to 17 for Little Pine Key. Other island complexes such as Ramrod Key, Water Key, and Annette complex maintain only small subpopulations (i.e., ≤5 individuals) and other previously inhabited island complexes (e.g., Johnson complex an...

Approximately 26% of annual mortality for the endangered Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) occurs as deer-vehicle collisions (DVCs) on the 5.6-km section of United States Highway 1 (US 1) on Big Pine Key (BPK), but extensive urban development adjacent to sections of US 1 complicates efforts to reduce DVCs. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the US 1 Project (continuous 2.6-km system of 2.4-m fencing, 2 underpasses, and 4 experimental deer guards constructed on US 1 on BPK) in reducing DVCs along US 1. Deer used the underpasses all 3 postproject years (2003-2005); however, we observed higher underpass use in 2004 and 2005 compared to 2003. Exclusion fencing reduced deer intrusions onto the fenced section of US 1 during the 3-year period (2003, n = 7 deer; 2004, n = 4; 2005, n = 12). With a reduction of deer intrusions onto this section of US 1, DVCs decreased in the fenced area by 73-100%; however, US 1 DVCs within the unfenced sections of US 1 also increased (40%) as expected. In controlling for effects of increasing deer density and traffic volume, study results suggest that highway improvements have decreased the net risk of DVCs along US 1, which indicates that use of deer fencing, deer guards, and underpasses is applicable in other urban communities experiencing unacceptable levels of DVCs.

Rapid human population growth and urbanization have had a negative impact on species biodiversity. As competition for resources between man and wildlife continues, it is important to understand the effects of urbanization on species. Endangered Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) are endemic to the Florida Keys which have undergone rapid human population growth and development over the past 30 years. Our study objectives were to evaluate the impacts of urban development on Key deer habitat use, population dynamics, behavior, and body mass. We used data from two comprehensive studies on Key deer spanning 30 years to evaluate these changes. Our results suggest that Key deer have become more urbanized, using urban areas more today than they did 30 years ago. Contrary to our predictions, survival was higher for more urban deer than for less urban deer. Problems still exist with mortality factors heavily impacting some portions of the deer population including lower survival associated with less urban male deer. Analysis of Key deer body mass also was converse to our predictions as deer weights appear to have increased over time. Collectively, our results suggest that over the past 30 years Key deer have become more urbanized and that deer plasticity has allowed them to adapt and persist in an urbanizing environment. However, the future ability of Key deer to persist in an environment with continued urban development is unknown. At some threshold, urban development would become unsustainable and unlike other forms of habitat change or environmental disturbances, urban development is in most cases irreversible requiring careful planning in habitat conservation strategies.

High white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) densities in urban areas typically result in human–wildlife conflicts (e.g., deer–vehicle collisions, transmission of disease to humans, and vegetation damage). Controlling deer densities via fertility control generally is more acceptable than lethal removal in many urban areas and can reduce conflicts by stabilizing deer numbers. Contraceptive vaccines that use PZP (porcine zona pellucida) proteins as antigens have been used for many years and generally are regarded as safe and effective. Side effects of immunocontraception may be repeated estruses, an extension of the breeding season, and increased movements and ranges of immunized deer. We evaluated the effects of SpayVac™, a long-lasting, single-dose PZP vaccine on ranges and movements of female white-tailed deer at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center near Houston, Texas, USA. We captured, treated, and radiomarked 38 female deer with SpayVac (treatment) and injected 11 deer with a placebo (contro...

The aim of the present study was to estimate changes in plant species composition in sev- eral forest communities caused by changes in endangered Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) densities in the National Key Deer Refuge in the lower Florida Keys. Baseline vegetation quadrats from a 1990 study were resampled in 2002 (the present study) in buttonwood transition, hardwood hammock, and mangrove wetland communities (all deer habitat) on 12 islands with low, medium, and high Key deer densities. On islands with high Key deer densities (>17 deer km -2 ), the relative densities of pre- ferred plant species 1.2 m tall (midstory/canopy) also significantly decreased in hammock on islands with high deer density, suggesting that heavy browsing is deterring plant growth/recruitment, thus already affecting regeneration of certain plant species into the midstory/canopy tiers. Plant species richness did not vary significantly between 1990 and 2002 for islands with high deer densities, but tended to increase slightly on islands with low deer density in but- tonwood and hammock communities. Evidence from this study suggests that high densities of Key deer influence plant species composition on certain islands. We suggest that management plans for Key deer should incorporate both species protection components and population control techniques dependent on deer density-island associations.

Metapopulation dynamics of species that occur in patchy or island subpopulations are an important consideration in the conservation of endangered species. Key deer ( Odocoileus virginianus clavium ) are endemic to the Florida Keys and occur on 11 island-complexes in the Lower Keys from Big Pine Key to Sugarloaf Key. While deer numbers have increased notably, the majority of the population occurs on two of the islands, Big Pine and No Name Keys. Deer dispersal between islands is possible due to short distances between islands and shallow water. Key deer have been documented to actively disperse between islands but at very low rates (11% males, 3% females). However, increased population densities could possibly increase dispersal rates as island populations on Big Pine and No Name Keys approach carrying capacity. We examined the probability of deer colonization of peripheral islands using a sex- and stage-structured metapopulation model. Our objectives were to (1) evaluate the effects of distance and dispersal rate on Key deer island subpopulations and (2) estimate the probability of Key deer colonizing surrounding islands with viable populations. Results suggest that over the next 20 years, the Key deer population could colonize 6 of the 11 island-complexes with viable populations. However, of the remaining five islands, three lack the resources to support a minimum viable population, and while Cudjoe and Sugarloaf Keys have the potential to support >200 deer each, they are not projected to increase to above 50 deer by 2021 regardless of dispersal rate due to distance from source population.

Wildlife managers require reliable, cost-effective, and accurate methods for conducting population surveys in making wildlife management decisions. Traditional methods such as spotlight counts, drive counts, strip counts (aerial, thermal, infrared) and mark–recapture techniques can be expensive, labor-intensive, or limited to habitats with high visibility. Convenience sampling designs are often used to circumvent these problems, creating the potential for unknown bias in survey results. Infrared-triggered cameras (ITCs) are a rapidly developing technology that may provide a viable alternative to wildlife managers because they can be economically used with alternative sampling designs. We evaluated population-density estimates from unbaited ITCs and road surveys for the endangered Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) on No Name Key, Florida, USA (461-ha island). Road surveys (n = 253) were conducted along a standardized 4-km route each week at sunrise (n = 90), sunset (n = 93), and ni...

Wildlife extinction represents the ultimate failure of wildlife conservation. It has many causes, some of them natural, but is increasingly tied to anthropogenic factors. Wildlife loss via domestication, however, is rarely considered. We evaluated the potential for inadvertent domestication of wildlife by determining the effect of feeding and watering on Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) density, group size, and distribution. Key deer sightings were significantly higher in areas (42 ha) surrounding the households that provided food and water (0.18 deer/m; n= 8) than in randomly selected areas (0.03 deer/m; t = 3.82, 14 df , p = 0.002). Average distance to a household providing food and water decreased logistically as group size increased, and large groups (>2 individuals each) were observed more frequently in areas where food and water were provided (27.5%) than in the randomly selected areas (7.5%). The incidence of large groups outside feeding areas (7.5%), however, was similar to the incidence of large groups during early urbanization (5.1%; 1968- 1973). Our results suggest illegal feeding caused changes in density, group size, and distribution indicative of domestication. Because fresh water and food were primary selective pressures for Key deer before illegal feeding and watering, genetic changes may occur in the future. For those who value "wildness" in wildlife, domestication of wildlife species is a serious problem that must be addressed.

The relationship between population density and range size has long been debated. While many studies have documented varying responses in range size to changes in pop- ulation densities, most have been the result of experimental manipulation. We examined the effects of long-term density changes in Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clav- ium) on range and core-area sizes. We radiocollared Key deer as part of 2 separate research projects conducted December 1968-June 1972, and January 1998-December 2001. We used a total of 96 (females, n = 62; males, n = 34) and 163 (females, n = 88; males, n=75) radiocollared Key deer to calculate annual and seasonal ranges and core areas, respectively. Season and age were not important factors in describing ranges and core areas of Key deer, while sex and period (early vs. current study) were important. On average, male annual ranges (x - = 221 ha, current; x - = 388 ha, early) were greater than female annual ranges (x - =42 ha, current; x - =101 ha, early), which might explain higher male mortality due to roadkills. Early ranges and core areas were greater (≈2x) than cur- rent ranges and core areas. We suggest that increased deer densities may have resulted in a decrease in Key deer ranges. Other factors influencing changes in Key deer ranges included increased habitat quality and Key deer domestication over the last 30 years.

Increasing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) numbers in urban environments is a management problem for both natural resource agencies and urban residents because of economic (e.g., deer-vehicle collisions) and ecological (e.g., ornamental and native vegetation damage) issues associated with deer "overabundance." Reducing deer num- bers using nonlethal control procedures often requires the safe (i.e., low mortality) cap- ture of urban white-tailed deer. We describe the use of a portable drive-net to capture urban white-tailed deer. We attached nylon drive-nets of various lengths, heights, and mesh sizes to an anchor (e.g., fencepost, T-post, tree) and placed them neatly on the ground. Persons on foot would drive deer toward the drive-net while one person would pull the net vertically to coincide with deer arrival. From June 1998-October 2003, we captured 76 white-tailed deer (25 M, 51 F) in Texas and Florida using the portable drive- net. No deer mortalities were recorded, and

Urban development in the Florida Keys, USA, mandates an understanding of how habitat requirements for Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) interact with vegetation changes caused by development. Our study objectives were to (1) determine Key deer habitat use at different spatial scales, (2) evaluate vegetation changes and identify vegetation types most threatened by development, and (3) provide guidelines to direct land acquisition programs in the future. We identified 6 vegetation types: pineland, hammock, developed, freshwater marsh, buttonwood, and mangrove. Key deer (n = 180; 84 F, 96 M) preferred upland vegetation types (>1 m above mean sea level; pineland, hammock, developed) and avoided tidal or lower-elevation areas (

The endangered Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) is endemic to the Florida Keys, Florida, USA, with Big Pine Key (BPK) supporting most (approx 60%) of the population. Habitat loss and fragmentation have altered the amount of available habitat, creating areas of varying suitability; north BPK (NBPK) is believed to contain more optimal habitat than south BPK (SBPK), which is more developed and fragmented. We evaluated the source–sink dynamics of Key deer using a sex- and stage-structured, stochastic matrix model. Model results indicated that the NBPK population of Key deer was increasing (λ = 1.02), whereas the SBPK population was decreasing (λ = 0.87). Without dispersal from the north, the SBPK population has a 97% probability of falling below 25 individuals (quasi-extinction threshold) in the next 20 years. The higher risk to Key deer in SBPK can be explained by relative habitat-quality differences between the 2 areas. House density, amount of roads, number of fences, and amount o...

With decreased illegal hunting and better habitat conservation, the Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) population grew from an estimated 25–50 animals in the late 1940s to approximately 200 animals on Big Pine and No Name keys, Florida, USA, by 1971, the last official survey. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) trend data indicate that the deer population continued to increase after 1971; however, current deer density estimates are necessary for the proposed reclassification of the Key deer from endangered to threatened. Our study objectives were to (1) obtain current population estimates of Florida Key deer and compare these to historical estimates, (2) evaluate survey methods (USFWS mortality and deer counts) in detecting changes in population trends, and (3) outline a protocol for future monitoring. Road counts (n = 889) were conducted from January 1971 to December 1971 and January 1976 to December 2001 on Big Pine and No Name keys. From mark–recapture data, we estimated that...

Assuming that a finite biosphere can support infinite development seems logically inde- fensible, yet the concept of sustainable development has become a dominant conserva- tion paradigm. The story of the endangered Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) appears to support the legitimacy of sustainable development because Key deer numbers have increased 240% since 1970 while at the same time human numbers in their habitat increased nearly 10-fold. Because fawn mortality is considered the primary density-dependent factor regulating cervid populations as they approach K-carrying capacity, we hypothesized that changes in fawn demographics could elucidate the falla- cy in assuming that development was sustainable on Big Pine Key. We determined and compared survival and range sizes for Key deer fawns between 1968-1972 (early urban development) and 1998-2002 (post-urban development). Fawn ranges (95% probability area, 149 to 33 ha) and core areas (50% probability area, 25 to 6 ha) decreased during this period of development while 6-month survival increased (0.47 to 0.96). All fawn mortality was due to anthropogenic causes; the positive relationship between fawn sur- vival and development may be a function of isolating fawns from anthropogenic mortal- ity. If this is true, the relationship is not sustainable because as ranges continue to shrink, they eventually will lack sufficient resources to support a fawn.

Fetal sex ratios (FSRs) have important implications for managing small isolated populations. Mean male-biased FSRs ranging from 2.67:1 to 1:1 have been reported for the endangered Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium ). Several general hypotheses have been proposed that describe the manner in which FSR may vary within a deer population over time: (1) tendency to equalize the sex ratio by producing the minority sex, (2) poor body condition results in more males, and (3) excellent body condition results in more males. Our objective was to evaluate implications of FSR for Key deer as suggested by these hypotheses. Because of their small numbers and geographic isolation, the issue of FSR is important for predicting response of Key deer to management actions. We developed nine alternative deterministic models representing combinations of three mean or median FSRs that have been hypothesized for Key deer and the three hypothesized mechanisms of FSR variation. With each model, we simulated Key deer demographics and compared predictions with actual survey data (1971–2000). The model with the best prediction was based on a median FSR of 1.45:1, and the FSR variation within the survey data best supported the hypothesis that poor body condition would result in more males. Our results indicate the most commonly cited FSR (2.67:1) for Florida Key deer is inaccurate, probably due to small sample size. We conclude that FSR variation has the potential to shape the response of endangered populations to disturbance. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Paratuberculosis was diagnosed in an endangered Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) in November 1996. Between 10 April 1997 and 28 September 2000, the Key deer population was monitored for infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis by necropsy of available carcasses (n = 170), fecal cultures, and serology. One additional clinically affected Key deer was discovered in July 1998, and M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis was cultured from the feces of one live, asymptomatic deer. The results of this study provided sufficient evidence to consider the Key deer herd infected with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis at very low prevalence.

Remote-triggered cameras are an important tool in wildlife research and the increasing availability of digital camera technology can potentially provide researchers with additional options and benefits. We compared the performance and cost of a remote digital camera system (passive infrared) with 2 well-established remote film-based camera systems (1 passive, 1 active) in the Lower Florida Keys. During the approximately month-long study, we found that the digital system provided similar performance and potentially decreased cost compared to the film-based systems when monitoring the endangered Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium). Considering the benefits of passive digital camera systems (e.g., large photograph storage capacity, less equipment, easy photograph manipulation), comparable performance by the digital system to film-based systems provides motivation to consider this new and evolving technology in future wildlife research.

Context Free-ranging mammals contribute to faecal pollution in United States water bodies. However, research into wildlife impact on water quality is dependent upon unreliable data (e.g. data uncertainty, unknown importance of parameters). Aims Our goal was to determine the potential impacts of common free-ranging mammal species and their management on Escherichia coli in the study floodplain. Our objectives for this research were to construct a model from study area- and literature-derived data, determine important species for E. coli deposition, and conduct sensitivity analyses on model parameters to focus future research efforts. Methods We constructed a model that incorporated parameters for four wildlife species known to contribute E. coli in central Texas: raccoons (Procyon lotor), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and wild pigs (Sus scrofa). These parameters were (1) population density estimates, (2) defaecation rates, (3) defaecation areas, (4) E. coli concentration in faecal material estimates, and (5) E. coli survival. We conducted sensitivity analyses on the model parameters to determine relative importance of each parameter and areas for additional study. Key results We found that adjustment of raccoon and Virginia opossum population densities had higher impacts on E. coli in the floodplain than similar changes in other species across all spatial and seasonal variations. We also found that the changes in E. coli survival, E. coli concentration in raccoon faecal material, and defaecation rates had the highest impacts on E. coli in the floodplain. Conclusions Our sensitivity analyses indicated that the largest impacts to projected E. coli loads were from changes in defaecation rates followed by E. coli concentration in faecal material and E. coli survival. Watershed planners, ranchers, and regulators must be cautioned that faecal deposition patterns are location specific and could significantly impact which species are considered the most important contributors. Implications Although all parameters require more research, we recommend that researchers determine defaecation rates for contributing species due to their relatively large impacts on E. coli in comparison to the other parameters. We also suggest additional research in free-ranging wildlife faecal morphology (form and structure) and area of deposition. Finally, species-specific E. coli survival studies for free-ranging wildlife should be conducted.

The population health of endangered Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) was monitored from 10 February 1986 to 28 September 2000 by necropsy of animals that were killed by vehicles, euthanized because of terminal injuries or disease conditions, or found dead. The predominant mortality factor during the period was collision with motor vehicles; however, several infectious diseases were diagnosed, including infections with Arcanobacterium pyogenes, Haemonchus contortus, Salmonella spp., and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. During the period monitored, the only infectious disease that was thought to have affected population dynamics was haemonchosis. Nevertheless, several of the observed diseases have potential to impact viability of the Key deer population under appropriate environmental conditions.

Context The role of wildlife in faecal pollution of water bodies (deposition of Escherichia coli (E. coli)) is not well understood. Current water-quality and land-use planning research largely relies on unreliable wildlife data (e.g. poor sourcing of abundance estimates, population density estimates applied to multiple fundamentally different areas, suspect or insufficiently described data collection techniques) Aims Our goal for the present research was to investigate deposition of E. coli into a floodplain by free-ranging mammals. Objectives of the research were to determine the density of important free-ranging meso- and large mammals in the study area, determine faecal E. coli loads for each species, and evaluate spatial data on species-specific faecal deposition. Methods We conducted our research in south-eastern Texas, USA, on two cattle ranches bisected by Cedar Creek (44-km long). Cedar Creek has elevated E. coli concentrations. We conducted mark–recapture and mark–resight population density estimates (2008/09) for meso- and large mammals in the study areas. We collected faecal samples from all captured wildlife. We also conducted transects through the study area to determine faecal-deposition patterns. Key results We found that raccoons (Procyon lotor), wild pigs (Sus scrofa), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) all had substantial faecal E. coli loads and population densities, thus implying an important role in E. coli deposition into the study floodplain. All species were widely distributed through the floodplain. Conclusions Free-ranging mammals contribute E. coli to floodplains and potentially affect water quality. We determined that four species commonly found in floodplains throughout North America all contributed E. coli to the study floodplain, thus implying mammal E. coli contributions in many locations and this is potentially important for E. coli management. Implications Improved locally specific mammal population estimates and estimates of locally derived E. coli concentration will improve floodplain and water-quality models that often depend on data of various quality. Additionally, our analyses demonstrated the need for continued research into the role of wildlife in E. coli deposition.

The landing in the Florida Keys of Hurricanes Georges (Category 2) in 1998 and Irene (Category 1) in 1999, in combination with an ongoing radiotelemetry study of Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginanus clavium), offered a unique opportunity to evaluate the impacts of natural disturbances on Key deer. We relocated 53 deer (female, n = 29; male, n = 24) during Hurricane Georges and 45 deer (female, n = 27; male, n = 18) during Hurricane Irene. One adult male drowned due to Hurricane Georges ( 15 ppt). In some cases, water-hole suitability did not improve until several weeks or months later. Our study suggests that mild to moderate hurricanes (Category 1-2) have little direct impact on the survival of Key deer; however, stronger storms (>Category 3) might have a greater impact due to stronger winds and greater storm surges (>3.5 m).

Increases in motor vehicle traffic, habitat loss, and human-deer interactions due to urban development threaten the recovery and management of Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium). To evaluate these threats, we estimated current survival rates and compared them to historic estimates, evaluated the causes of mortality from 1966 to 2000, and determined life expectancy of deer from marked animals. We radiomarked Florida Key deer as part of 2 separate field studies (1968-1972, 1998-2000), in addition to collecting mortality data and survey estimates (1966-2000). We analyzed survival data from 314 (157 male, 157 female) radiomarked deer using a known-fate model framework in program MARK. We considered a suite of a priori models based on the biology and current knowledge of Florida Key deer, and ranked them using Akaike's Information Criterion ($text{AIC}_{c}$) model selection. Important factors explaining deer survival were sex and geographical location. Model-averaged annual male survival (0.412-0.842) was lower than female survival (0.695-0.888). Marked female deer (n = 35) lived an average of 6.5 years (maximum 19 years), while marked male deer (n = 43) lived an average of 2.9 years (maximum 12 years). Deer survival also increased as deer moved away from U.S. Highway 1 (US 1). Deer-motor vehicle collisions accounted for >50% of total deer mortality, half of which occurred on US 1. Annual deer mortality since 1972 has increased and is attributed to an increase in the deer population size (1972-2000, 240%). We recommend finding methods to reduce deer-motor vehicle collisions because of human safety concerns. As efforts to reduce deer-motor vehicle collisions continue, biologists need to address high deer densities in management of this locally abundant but endangered deer population.