The Persian fallow deer is a majestic deer species that is now endangered.
A group of Persian fallow deer (Dama dama mesopotamica) in the Szeged Zoo.
Some zoos are trying to save the species, the Szeged Zoo where these photos were taken has such a program.
As animal taxonomy is not an exact science — to put it mildly — there is some disagreement if the Persian fallow deer is a separate species, or a subspecies of the fallow deer.
A group of Persian fallow deer in the winter.
As the name suggests the Persian fallow deer’s native area is in Iran. While once abundant and even a popular game for hunters, the Persian fallow deer is now endangered due to habitat loss, predation by animal predators and excessive hunting by humans.
A Persian fallow deer buck (Dama dama mesopotamica), Szeged Zoo.
Further Readings:
Dama mesopotamica (Mesopotamian Fallow Deer, Persian Fallow Deer).
Persian fallow deer videos, photos and facts – Dama mesopotamica on ARKive.