The iron curtain once stretched along the German-Checkoslavkia border, in some places marring the landscape with three parallel and electrified fences, guarded by armed men. Five hundred people lost their lives trying to escape to the West, and undoubtably many deer died crossing too. Scientists have made an amazing discovery after following the movements of Czech and German red deer with GPS collars. The curtain came down twenty-five years ago, only recreations exist to remind people what it once was--a monstrous and dangerous monument to human intolerance [photo credit: AP]. Red deer have a normal life span of only fifteen years, so none of the deer alive now have encountered the barrier. Yet the iron curtain still plays a role in their lives, separating two populations that avoid the barricade's former location. Research in the Czech Republic's Sumava National Park shows deer stick to traditional life patterns, returning every year to the same places. Fawns follow their mothers and learn where to go to find safety, water, and food. They teach their offspring well. The memory of man's dangerous electric barrier which killed many of their ancestors has been ingrained in the deer living now.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Czech Deer have Memory of Iron Curtain
The iron curtain once stretched along the German-Checkoslavkia border, in some places marring the landscape with three parallel and electrified fences, guarded by armed men. Five hundred people lost their lives trying to escape to the West, and undoubtably many deer died crossing too. Scientists have made an amazing discovery after following the movements of Czech and German red deer with GPS collars. The curtain came down twenty-five years ago, only recreations exist to remind people what it once was--a monstrous and dangerous monument to human intolerance [photo credit: AP]. Red deer have a normal life span of only fifteen years, so none of the deer alive now have encountered the barrier. Yet the iron curtain still plays a role in their lives, separating two populations that avoid the barricade's former location. Research in the Czech Republic's Sumava National Park shows deer stick to traditional life patterns, returning every year to the same places. Fawns follow their mothers and learn where to go to find safety, water, and food. They teach their offspring well. The memory of man's dangerous electric barrier which killed many of their ancestors has been ingrained in the deer living now.