HOME RANGE AND ACTIVITY PATTERNS OF PAMPAS DEER IN EMAS NATIONAL PARK, BRAZIL

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Abstract
Home range, movements, and activity patterns of pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) were studied in Emas National Park, State of Goiás, Brazil. Four pampas deer were located daily during 1 year by radio tracking. Additionally, during 8 sampling periods, locations were determined every 30 min for 12 consecutive hours to determine activity patterns. Vegetation was sampled monthly to detect for seasonal variation in food availability. Pampas deer were active during the day and night, and individual variation in activity patterns was observed. Average home ranges of pampas deer were larger than the average area used by other Odocoileinae. Home ranges were similar in size in the dry (April–September) and wet (October–March) seasons, but deer moved more during the rainy season—a pattern apparently related to availability of flowers.