An Alternative Interpretation of Plasma Selenium Data from Endangered Patagonian Huemul Deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus)

A group of huemul deer from a Chilean population was sampled for trace mineral analysis. Here we show that most huemul plasma Se values were severely deficient (64%) or deficient (9%), with a minority of the values marginal (18%) or adequate (9%). The role of Se deficiency thus merits further consideration in explaining huemul declines and in conservation efforts, especially given that soils in huemul habitat are Se deficient.