Host information and statistics
During the sampling period, 243 wild deer blood samples were collected from four wild deer species (fallow, rusa, sambar (Rusa unicolor ) and chital (Axis axis ) deer) across eastern states and territories of mainland Australia (Figure 1). Most samples (69%) were collected in June – October (i.e. winter and spring). Among the four deer species included in this study, two accounted for more than 83% of the samples: fallow deer (57%), and rusa deer (26%). Of note, 69% of the specimens were collected in the state of New South Wales (Figure 1). Similar numbers of females (n = 120) and males (n = 116) were sampled, with no sex information available for seven animals. Individuals were classified in three age categories based on morphological characteristics including body size, tooth wear, and antler growth: fawn (< 1 year), yearling (1 to < 2 years) and adult (≥ 2 years). Most samples were from adults (n = 149), followed by yearlings (n = 74) and fawns (n = 13), with age information unavailable for seven animals.