The past year, 2017, provided enough food for roe deer and they did not have to suffer from cold. It was a good year.
Photo: Tarmo Mikussaar
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Estonian text posted by the Animal of the Year Team, 03.01.2018

Estonian text  by the Animal of the Year Team 30.12.2017

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Since the forest is very wet and it is difficult to get to the roe deer camera to change batteries we stop the transmission from the roe deer camera. Some time in January – true, the roe deer will no longer be Animal of the Year then – we will try to start the camera again, if the sun comes out and feeds the batteries or the forest dries up and batteries can be changed with less trouble.  So, in other words, the plan is to go on with the deer camera for a couple of months in 2018 too. Hoping that there will be snow and that the ground dries properly.  With colder weather and the start of the growth of new antlers the deer have more cause to go to the salt lick. We will keep you updated about the plans. Utntil then the camera of the new Animal of the Year will be placed at Elistvere and  it will be running from early January.

Contrasting lighter patches at the throat belong to the winter fur of an adult roe deer
Photo: Tarmo Mikussaar
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Estonian text posted by the Team of the Animal of the Year 25.12.2017

Gella’s fiancé got so used to stray around freely in the Elistvere park that he allowed people to watch and photograph him.

Mobile photo: Elle Mäerand

Estonian text posted by the Animal of the Year Team 23.12.2017
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Roe deer in winter on fields near settlements.
Photo: Tarmo Mikussaar
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 Estonian text posted by the Animal of the Year Team 15.12.2017

In the background of the camera image the deer flock can hazily be seen wandering around – roughly where our camera was located in the first half of autumn.
Screencap caught by  Omar

Estonian text posted by the Animal of the Year Team 28.11.2017
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Roe deer mum with kid at the salt lick in August. The little one is so small yet that it gets a mouthful of milk from the doe every now and then.
Image sent by Priit Vahtramäe

Posted by the Animal of the Year Team 18.11.2017

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Estonian text posted by the Animal of the Year Team 05.11.2017.

Estonian text posted by the Team of the Animal of the Year 03.11.2017

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The buck in the photo has clearly noticed the photographer and its expression is attentive, but what to do when the animal appears not to see or hear the human who is approaching him?

Photo: Tarmo Mikussaar
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Estonian  text posted by the Animal of the Year Team 25.10.2017