Vietnamese sika deer
I.U.C.N status
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Identity card
Grasses, leaves, fruits, lichens, mushrooms, bark.
Did you know?
The Vietnamese sika deer is a subspecies of the sika deer. These animals are polygamous: a male is capable of gathering up to 12 females in his territory during the
breeding season.
They are also distinguished by their great vocal expressiveness with a repertoire of 10 distinct sounds, ranging from soft whistles and bleats reminiscent of those of a goat, to impressive neighing and roaring, comparable to those of a big cat.
Threats and conservation
The Vietnamese sika deer, once present in the north of the country, today survives only in a small wild population. Intensive hunting has led to its near-disappearance, placing this subspecies on the brink of extinction. Fortunately, the Vietnamese sika deer is well represented in captivity, making it possible to launch reintroduction programmes in two Vietnamese national parks.
