How to improve the estimation of red deer (Cervus elaphus) population density in Serbia

Spatial and temporal estimates of population abundance or density are essential to evaluate whether conservation efforts are having the desired effects on endangered species and to determine the impact of extrinsic effects such as climate change or land use change, or the intrinsic threats such as disease outbreaks. Precise estimates are challenging because red deer have a relatively large radius of movement between the place where they stay during the day and where they take food at night which can lead to counting errors of 10, 20 and even 50%. To the author’s best knowledge, there is a lack of available data about red deer (Cervus elaphus) counting methods in Serbia, as well as possible improvements of the current situation. This was the motivation to conduct a short analysis on the state-of-the-art use of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) i.e. drones in the estimation of red deer population density in Europe as a possible solution for Serbia.