Exotics are big part of little lady's ranch

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Marida Favia del Core Borromeo gives "Romeo," a Red Deer, a gentle scratch. Borromeo raised the deer from a newborn. -- Staff photo by Taylor

June 16, 2005 - With a name like Marida Favia del Core Borromeo, you'd probably expect a big woman! Not so, in this case. Borromeo may reach five-feet tall … if she stands on her tip-toes, but she is one smart rancher.

Born in Italy, reared in Switzerland and educated at Southwestern University in Texas, Borromeo said she "knew from when she was a child" that, someday, she would live on a ranch in Texas (even if she wasn't really sure just where it was located in the United States).

In 1996, her dream began to take shape, after purchasing a ranch outside of Giddings, where she now raises Red Deer, cattle, and a couple of exotic type animals. At her Blackjack Ranch, high fences contain the animals that are moved from pasture to pasture in the lush grasses.

One of Borromeo's latest purchases includes the Scimitar Horned Oryx. Originally from Northern Africa, the Oryx is Greek for "pickax," and the animals were used generations ago in the fields where their horns came in handy for ripping or digging. The Scimitar Horned Oryx's horns range in length from 33.5 inches to over 50 inches. They are usually from five inches to 24 inches apart at the tips. They are mostly a gentle animal, but can get excited if they have a baby to protect. One unusual note concerning these animals is that they can store enough water in their system to be able to do without water for a week, if necessary, due to their origin in the climate of Africa.

Some of the more unique-looking deer are the Scimitar Horned Oryx, whose horns range in length from 33.5 inches to over 50 inches. -- Staff photo by Taylor

The "English Park" Red Deer and elk came from a common ancestor in China, many years ago, and have been considered the "cream of the crop" when it comes to deer. They are easy-to-raise grazers who do well on Coastal Bermuda and excellent on Tifton 85 grass or alfalfa, said Borromeo.

Rutting season is between September and December, and the gestation period runs about 234 days. A doe usually produces offspring for about 14 years, at a 90 to 100 percent rate per animal, explained Borromeo.

Two of her favorite animals include a Red Deer she named "Romeo," and the other is a Longhorn she named "Malu," after her mother. Romeo's birth traumatized the mother so much that she refused to care for him, so Borromeo took him inside her home to feed and raise, along with her dogs. She said Romeo even learned to use the "doggie door" on the front of her home! Now, even though he is grown, he still comes up to her to be petted, and he still doesn't quite believe he is actually a deer, laughed Borromeo.

Malu was named after Borromeo's mom because she is so patient and gentle, explained Borromeo. When her mom comes to visit from Italy, she really enjoys the tours on the ranch, and, especially, seeing Malu.

Borromeo started raising the Red Deer because she wanted something to offer to breeders and hunters that would be the "top of the line" animals, and claims that they are "more intelligent" than cattle. Borromeo said she has to use chains with locks on the gates, because the deer have learned how to open gates. She is able to use a six-wheeler or truck to move them from pasture to pasture, and they follow without a problem, usually.

Her latest additions to Blackjack Ranch are several African Addax which she purchased from a breeder in the Hill Country. They have long, curved horns that stick straight up into the air. Borromeo said the animals are very gentle, and she's looking forward to a new herd on the ranch.

One thing that Borromeo is very dedicated to is helping to save breeds which are nearing extinction, and that just because you might see a high fence, it doesn't necessarily mean the owner of the property is a "baby (animal) killer." She is very emphatic about saving endangered species, and belongs to a number of associations who have the same beliefs as she, such as the Exotic Wildlife Association.

You won't find Borromeo very far from her animals and her ranch as she has made it her life. Her plan is to keep on taking care of the cattle, deer, Addax and Oryx, along with the eight dogs that have either been purchased or "wandered" into her path.

She may not be big in stature, but Borromeo's womanly qualities and ranching knowledge are huge!

(To visit Blackjack Ranch: 512-253-0128 or online at www.blackjackdeer.com)