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I don't really see what the big deal is. Isn't this how most species have come about over time? I guess this is an artificially created scenario somewhat, but I

I don't really see what the big deal is. Isn't this how most species have come about over time? I guess this is an artificially created scenario somewhat, but I'm sure there are plenty of species that have come about due to humans importing animals from one place to another. It's not like horses in the US where there are no natural predators or anything. Now if they start coming across variants that can shoot lasers from their eyes, I'll be worried.

Retric 17y ago
Horses where re-imported to the US after they were hunted to extinction by Native Americans. However, most of their natural predators had also been killed off by Native Americans so your point is still accurate. Hybridization is actually not how new species are created, it normaly only produces fertile offspring when the parents are both membors of the same species just different breeds. This mixing will probably delay the creation of a new species by reducing the genetic differences between the populations.
gb 17y ago
I think the worry is the hybrid species might out compete the native red deer, or that fewer "pure" deer of either species will be left if hybridisation continues, as the hybrid offspring will be less picky about sticking to their own kind.
- ryanelkins 17y ago
  I guess I still don't really understand what the concern is. I'm not saying there isn't one, just that the article didn't really make it clear why this is a problem, other than the mongrels will take over. Is it a big problem if the "pure" varieties dissappear?
  - daleharvey 17y ago
    people dont really like entire sub species being wiped out, which was close to happening with native red squirrels with the introduction of grey squirrels. theres an elements of playing god, but considering the effect we have already had on the planet I think making efforts to sustain what we currently have can only be a good thing.
- smackay 17y ago
  For some insight into the politics of hybrids there is a huge row in the UK over the erdication of Ruddy Ducks (introduced from N. America) which are hybridizing with the remnant White-headed Duck population in Spain. A lot of the issues are discussed in the following which although presented from one side of the argument do give an idea of how messy this can get: http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/2009/12/plea-for-non-reporting-of-british-ruddy.html http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/2009/12/plea-for-... http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/2009/12/championing-cause-of-ruddy-duck-my.html http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/2009/12/championi...
jcl 17y ago
I have to wonder if part of the concern is because the pure red deer make better hunting trophies? The article specifically mentions that red deer antlers have more points, which I think is something only hunters worry about.

Retric 17y ago

Horses where re-imported to the US after they were hunted to extinction by Native Americans. However, most of their natural predators had also been killed off by Native Americans so your point is still accurate. Hybridization is actually not how new species are created, it normaly only produces fertile offspring when the parents are both membors of the same species just different breeds. This mixing will probably delay the creation of a new species by reducing the genetic differences between the populations.

gb 17y ago

I think the worry is the hybrid species might out compete the native red deer, or that fewer "pure" deer of either species will be left if hybridisation continues, as the hybrid offspring will be less picky about sticking to their own kind.

ryanelkins 17y ago
I guess I still don't really understand what the concern is. I'm not saying there isn't one, just that the article didn't really make it clear why this is a problem, other than the mongrels will take over. Is it a big problem if the "pure" varieties dissappear?
- daleharvey 17y ago
  people dont really like entire sub species being wiped out, which was close to happening with native red squirrels with the introduction of grey squirrels. theres an elements of playing god, but considering the effect we have already had on the planet I think making efforts to sustain what we currently have can only be a good thing.
smackay 17y ago
For some insight into the politics of hybrids there is a huge row in the UK over the erdication of Ruddy Ducks (introduced from N. America) which are hybridizing with the remnant White-headed Duck population in Spain. A lot of the issues are discussed in the following which although presented from one side of the argument do give an idea of how messy this can get: http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/2009/12/plea-for-non-reporting-of-british-ruddy.html http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/2009/12/plea-for-... http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/2009/12/championing-cause-of-ruddy-duck-my.html http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/2009/12/championi...

jcl 17y ago

I have to wonder if part of the concern is because the pure red deer make better hunting trophies? The article specifically mentions that red deer antlers have more points, which I think is something only hunters worry about.