Only one in 10,000 births of Fallow deer will result in the rare and beautiful snow-white coat of the White Fallow dear. By working in conjunction with Amicalola Deer Park, Rock City has been able to acquire two of these animals to add to their growing herd at the new natural habitat that Rock City has established.
The Rock City Deer Park has been an attraction at this mountaintop tourist and local hotspot for over 80 years when it was originally established by Rock City founders Garnet and Frieda Carter. Yet this original exhibition was mostly rock based, whereas the new one is a natural habitat that allows the deer to self-sustain themselves.
Jeff Raabe, the director of operations for Rock City, says that bringing this new deer park to Rock City is part of their mission to enhance and preserve the natural space they occupy. The area that the deer park occupies from right after the Fat Man’s Squeeze to the base of Lover’s Lap was not being used, first of all, and the previous deer habitat was a place where the deer were healthy but not necessarily happy, he says. Raabe says it was important to get them a habitat that was truly natural for them, and this new deer park has accomplished that goal. This is also one way Rock City can cultivate its environmental stewardship.
The deer park has been open since the beginning of April in conjunction with the EarthDayz events, which have featured naturally fun outdoor affairs such as the Birds of Prey Shows in Critter Classroom, make-and-take projects, rain barrel demonstrations and other activities that were free with Rock City admission.
There are seven deer now in the habitat including one baby deer waiting to be born, and there are hopes for more babies with the three doe that are suspected to be pregnant. There are four different varieties of color for the Fallow deer: the lighter spotted deer of which Rock City will be getting two shortly; the gray colored deer; the brown Fallow deer; and the White Fallow deer.
The deer habitat is surrounded by an eight-foot high fence that runs along, and allows them to enjoy, the wide-open view high atop Lookout Mountain. Rock City is supplementing their feeding with one of their favorite treats, corn, to make sure they are especially healthy. The deer are able to live on the property without any assistance, especially with a natural spring within the habitat.
Raabe says, “We are trying to build the herd and self-sustain them, and then they will breed and Continued to repopulate.”
This new addition will mean that not just tourists, but locals as well, will have a reason to revisit Rock City, Raabe says. Rock City’s monthly activities, such as the Southern Blooms Festival in May, is what makes the Rock City annual pass such a popular item, he says.
Rock City is working in conjunction with Amicalola Deer Park, and wouldn’t be able to do this if it wasn’t for their help, Raabe says. Amicalola Deer Park began in 2003, when Rainbow Nation stepped in to protect and rescue a large herd of exotic deer. This 1,200-acre park is nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, along the headwaters of the Amicalola River. It serves the needs of 150 rescued animals, primarily Sika and Fallow Deer, as a place of retreat, restoration, recreation, preservation and conservation. Owner Shawn Smith is helping Rock City create their healthy herd and manage making the area what it is supposed to be.
“It has been a real blessing to have him involved to help coach us through how to build the habitat, what animals to have in here to make them thrive the best, and he will Continued to consult us through this,” Raabe says. “As our herd grows, he will be cherry picking deer, too, to take back to his park and vice versa to strengthen both herds of Fallow deer.”
The maximum number of deer that Rock City is aiming for is eight, so that they are not pushing the area they have set aside for the deer or their feeding resources.
In June, when the babies are born, there has also been a proposal of setting up a bottle-feeding station that may be later opened to the public.
Amicalola Deer Park is now a toured facility offering many special events throughout the year to promote awareness and funding for their mission. For information on all they have to offer, visit www.amicaloladeerpark.com. For more information on Rock City’s year- round events, visit www.seerockcity.com.