Abstract The aim of the present paper is to present a preliminary genetic survey of the fallow deer (Dama dama L., 1758) population of the island of Rhodes (Greece) in order to verify its genetic variability. Italian population specimens were chosen as a control group because, as can be ascertained from literature, they have a very low level of variability. The analysis was carried out on hair samples obtained from each population. It was performed on a PCR modified method called RAPD which is based on the amplification of genomic DNA by using a single oligonucleotide of random sequence as a primer. The results of the analysis of the Rhodian specimens show clearly the presence of polymorphic individuals, absent in the Italian deer sampled.