![]() ![]() The Annamite Mountains are home to another endemic muntjac species, the large-antlered muntjac. In 2014, a forest guard found a Truong Son muntjac in a trap and released it, documented on video. There was a ten year period beginning in 2004 when there was no further evidence of these muntjacs. The initial species description was based on skulls found in village markets and homes. Like the saola, no Western researcher has ever seen a live Truong Son muntjac. Its “discovery” was perhaps overshadowed by that of the saola, the large ox-like mammal found in the same mountain range. The Truong Son muntjac was documented by scientists in 1997 in the Annamite Mountains of Vietnam. Saola © Bill Robichaud / flickr via a Creative Commons License (Muntiacus truongsonensis) Since there are no images of a living Truong Son Muntjac, here’s a saola for consolation. The species is now invasive and can be seen throughout the British countryside. And like the water deer, muntjac escaped. You will often have only a quick view as the muntjac darts back into thick habitat.Īnother species, the Reeves muntjac, was another deer introduction to Woburn Abbey. ![]() Where To See: Spend enough time in India’s national parks, like Bandhavgarh or Kaziranga, and you have a good chance of seeing muntjacs (or, as they are appropriately known there, barking deer). It has a visible post-orbital gland – the dark spot at the base of the eye – that it uses for scent marking its territory. The Indian muntjac, unlike most hoofed mammals, is omnivorous, and has been documented dining on eggs and even carrion. It has fewer chromosomes (7 for the male, 6 for the female), than any other mammal. The Indian muntjac is relatively common, but is still poorly understood. There are around 15 species of these animals, most found in South Asia. They give a sharp, loud bark as an alarm. They have small tusks, which they use for fighting. They’re small and often hide in thick forest habitat. Muntjac have antlers, but there aren’t many other similarities between these Asian deer and the whitetail in your backyard. (Muntiacus muntjac) Indian Muntjac © Brian Gratwicke / flickr via a Creative Commons License The Nature Conservancy’s Valdivian Coastal Reserve, also in Chile, provides excellent habitat for pudus, where they are monitored by trail cameras. Mammal watcher extraordinaire Jon Hall recommends Parque Tepuhueico, a private reserve in Chile, for excellent chances at spotting southern pudu. Where to See: Finding a pudu in a thick rainforest is not easy. The deer live in South American temperate rainforests, and have suffered heavily from habitat loss. The male pudu’s has short-spiked antlers that don’t branch. And a pudu fawn is almost impossibly cute: part bunny, part Bambi, part plush toy. They stand about 12 to 17 inches at the shoulder at birth fawns are only about six inches high. Two closely related species of pudu, the northern and southern, are the smallest deer species on earth. (Pudu puda and Pudu mephistophiles) Pudu © Frederic BISSON / flickr via Creative Commons License And it’s also the site that saved the Pere David’s deer from extinction in what is perhaps the weirdest species rescue of all time. You’ll be able to get fantastic observations of water deer and other cervid species on beautiful, historic grounds. I consider Woburn Abbey a must-see for dedicated deer nerds. Undoubtedly, they’re easier to see in England, including at Woburn Abbey. Some dedicated mammal watchers have reported finding them in places like Seosan Lakes. Where to See: Water deer are widespread and even considered an agricultural pest in Korea. ![]() ![]() Water deer from Woburn and another British park escaped, resulting in a feral population existing in parts of England. In the late 1800s, they were introduced to Woburn Abbey, an English deer park known for its exotic species. Water deer are native to much of Korea and parts of China. These tusks can be quite prominent, so much so that a popular local name is “vampire deer.” Usually, a territorial male just clicks the tusks to deter rivals, but if need be, water deer will engage in tusk-to-tusk combat. Instead, it has tusks – actually canine teeth that point down. Unlike most deer species, the water deer lacks antlers. (Hydropotes inermis) Water deer © Nick Goodrum / flickr via Creative Commons License ![]()
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