The decline began in the 1500s with heavy deerskin trading between Indians and Europeans, and intensified in the late 1800s when settlers encroached on prime deer habitat and hunted excessively. Around the turn of the century, the combined forces of legislation and the scarcity of deer finally slowed the hunting, allowing the deer population to rebound to the present number of about 14 million. The pair quickly multiplied into a 15-member herd. When an unexpected number of infant gazelles died soon after birth, Zoo scientists found that inbreeding markedly increased infant mortality. Scientists soon confirmed this finding for many zoo species, and as a result zoos now exchange animals to prevent inbreeding.
Ungulates are native to every continent except Antarctica and Australia.
The whole plain seemed alive and appeared chequered black and white with their congregated masses. . . In 1861, the last wild quagga was shot. This long-legged rodent can run 28 miles per hour. Over millions of years, hoofed mammals have evolved long, sturdy legs ideal for running.