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Efforts to reintroduce extinct deer, oryx proving successful, study finds

A few decades ago, the appearance of animals such as wild oryx, fallow deer and roe deer on Israeli pathways, after they became extinct in this region, would have seemed like the fantasy of some romantic naturalists. Yet data released recently by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority indicate that this image has turned into a practical plan that has been successfully implemented in some places; such animals have returned to areas such as the Galilee and Negev. They are even playing important roles in the reduction of excess vegetation in areas at risk of fires, and the scattering of seeds in desert areas.

Last week, the Parks Authority held a conference to present its activity in a number of areas. Among other things, Prof. David Saltz of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev presented results of a years-long project involving the return to nature of rare species of animals that once dwelled in Israel, and then became extinct. These include large wild mammals such as the ox, deer and oryx. The Parks Authority raised them in facilities on the Carmel and in the Arava, and returned them gradually to nature over a long period spanning two decades....
Read entire article at Haaretz