Czech deer still wary of iron curtain boundary

[Elsa]

Areas where Czechoslovakia had three electrified fences now avoided by generation of deer who never encountered them

Almost 25 years after the iron curtain came down, central European deer still balk at crossing areas where there used to be electrified fences, scientists have found.

A seven-year study in Sumava national park, in the Czech Republic, discovered that red deer were still wary of spots where the then Czechoslovakia had three parallel electrified fences patrolled by heavily armed guards.
...

The average life expectancy for deer is 15 years and none living now would have encountered the barrier. "But the border still plays a role for them and separates the two populations," Sustr said.

He said the research showed the animals stuck to traditional life patterns, returning every year to the same places. "Fawns follow mothers for the first year of their life and learn from them where to go."

Fascinating that they are repelled by now non-existent fences.

[Windischer]

they simply dont wander to unknown places. previous generations learned that borders (not just the iron curtain one, but border with soviet union as well) were not a good place, armed guards accompanied with wolfdogs, fences and all.