The late summer and early spring is the time of an exciting and breathtaking deer rut. In the early morning and late evenings, those magnificent animals are creating an impressive natural spectacle in Kopački rit Nature Park!
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Kopački rit is famous wetland, a floodplain of the Danube and Drava rivers. It harbours incredible biodiversity, but it is also a natural retention that saves us from the floods. Read more about Kopački rit.
The red deer is a shy animal that hides in the deep forests and wetlands. This abruptly changes in early autumn, when days are stil lwarm, but nights and mornings fresh – begins the rut season.
Big males (stags) get out of their hideouts in late evening and start to roar. Their loud call resonates from afar! They usually gather in traditional places, open grounds. The most active are big males, 7 -9 years old. They form a harem of females (hinds) that protect from other males. At the same time, they keep their mating territory which mark with scent from their glands.
Stags compete in their roar. The intensity of deep bass of this love call showcases their strength and condition. When the roar is not enough, serious fights follow. Two males jostle, fighting with their antlers, trying to stab the opponents. The proze is great – right to the hinds and offspring.
Kopački rit offer great possibility for the rut – vast spaces, privacy and no guns.
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Written by Goran Šafarek, author of several books and films about Croatia.
