Cadmium content in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Croatia

Roe deer tissues (muscle, liver and kidney: 21 sample severally) collected from northern region of Croatia regardless of age and sex in 1990.-1995. were analysed for cadmium. This toxic heavy metal occured in low concentration in muscle tissue, but livers and especially kidneys were more contaminated. 43% of liver samples and 90% of kidney samples exceeded maximal permissible values and were unfit for human consumption. Concentrations in mg kg-1 on wet weight basis were: 0.003-0.065, 0.015-2.306 and 0.223-27.686 for muscle, liver and kidney respectively. The values obtained were compared with available literature data.