Scottish red deer could disappear from mainland

This deer is slightly smaller than the West European red deer. During the summer, the coat is lighter in color with a distinct border to the lighter patch on the rump. Rest of the color is dark reddish brown with a grayer face and neck. The legs are blackish brown. In winter, the animal grows long hair on the neck. The brow and the bez tines usually close together and at a distance above the burr.

SCOTLAND'S most iconic animal is under threat because it is breeding with an alien species, scientists have discovered.

Red deer could disappear from mainland Scotland because they are breeding with the Japanese sika deer, according to researchers at the University of Edinburgh.

And they warn that because the Japanese sika reproduces when it is younger than our native animal, usually in its first year, this could result in a rapid growth in the population of deer in Scotland. Already landowners struggle to control the high numbers.