Reintroduced Roe Deer
The Roe Deer was a native species in England until 1800 or so. They came to Britain after the last Ice Age, 10,000 years ago, moving with the trees, and slowly, inexorably, colonising the hills and valleys. A hungry population and deforestation finally eradicated them from the English landscape just 200 years ago, with a small population left in Scotland. It was Victorian landowners who reintroduced them from continental Europe.
Whenever I see a skeleton now, I search for all the parts. Some scavenger or other has taken much of the skeleton of this one apart and its skull is missing. Scattered bones litter the leaves. I start at the ribs and move outwards in a grand, expanding spiral, with my eyes to the ground. Eventually I find the skull.
It must have been a handsome beast.
Here’s the last skull I found.
All I need to do now is get some photographs of a live one.