Overview
Brief Summary
Biology
There is currently a lack of detailed information about the life history of the Philippine brown deer. It is known that breeding most commonly occurs from September to January, with females giving birth to a single fawn marked with light coloured spots, which disappear after a few weeks. During the rut, females may form small groups of up to eight individuals, but the males remain solitary and are aggressive (7). Resting during the day, hidden in dense vegetation, the Philippine brown deer commences activity in the evenings which continues throughout the night until dawn. This species generally favours the edges of forests or forest clearings, browsing upon a variety of vegetation such as grasses, leaves, fallen fruit and berries (7). In the regions where it has been introduced, the Philippine brown deer has caused significant damage to indigenous ecosystems, preventing forest regeneration as well as eating large amounts of crops (6) (8) (9).
© Wildscreen
Source:
ARKive
Trusted
Comprehensive Description
Description
The Philippine brown deer is a diminutive, compactly-built deer with relatively short antlers that only reach 20 to 40 centimetres in length. In general, this species is entirely brown, with the exception of the underside of the tail, which is white. However, there are regional variations in colour, such as one population found on Mindanao where the deer's coat has been reported to be a pale, sandy grey (2). Certain populations of the Philippine brown deer also differ significantly in body size (3). Consequently, the Philippine brown deer has been split by some authorities into a number of regionally separated subspecies (4) (5).
© Wildscreen
Source:
ARKive
Trusted
Distribution
Range Description
This species is endemic to the Philippines, and occurs through most of the country except the Negros-Panay Faunal Region, the Babuyan/Batanes groups, the Palawan Faunal Region, the Sulu Faunal Region, and other isolated islets (Oliver et al., 1992). It has been recorded on Luzon, Polillo and Catanduanes; Mindoro; Samar, Leyte, Biliran (where it is now extinct; Rickart et al., 1993), Bohol (where it is possibly extinct; Oliver et al., 1992), Mindanao and Basilan Islands) and Marinduque (where it might also be extinct (W. Oliver pers. comm.)), but is apparently absent from both Dinagat and Siargao Islands (Heaney et al., 1998; Grubb, 2005. It has a highly fragmented distribution on most of the islands on which it survives, and was undoubtedly more extensively distributed in the past.
Populations have been introduced on Guam, Mariana and Caroline islands in the western Pacific (Grubb 2005). The species was introduced onto the Ogasawara (= Bonin) Islands (Japan) in late 18th to early 19th centuries by Spanish ships, but went extinct there by about 1925; the species was introduced there again from Guam after World War II, but does not currently occur there (Miura and Yoshihara, 2002; Grubb, 2005).
Populations have been introduced on Guam, Mariana and Caroline islands in the western Pacific (Grubb 2005). The species was introduced onto the Ogasawara (= Bonin) Islands (Japan) in late 18th to early 19th centuries by Spanish ships, but went extinct there by about 1925; the species was introduced there again from Guam after World War II, but does not currently occur there (Miura and Yoshihara, 2002; Grubb, 2005).
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
Trusted
Range
The Philippine brown deer occurs throughout most of the Philippines, with the exception of the islands of Negros, Panay, Palawan, Sulu, and the Babuyan and Batanes island groups (3). In addition to its native range, introduced populations of this species are found on the islands of Guam, Saipan and Rota in the Mariana Islands and Pohnpei in the Caroline Islands (2). The Philippine brown deer was also historically introduced to Japanese Bonin Islands, where it later became extinct (6).
© Wildscreen
Source:
ARKive
Trusted
Ecology
Habitat
Habitat and Ecology
Habitat and Ecology
Systems
This species formerly occured from sea-level up to at least 2,900 m asl in primary and secondary forest (Taylor, 1934; Sanborn, 1952; Rabor, 1986; Heaney et al., 1998). The Mindoro subspecies also frequents open grasslands, where it may be able to persist. In general, however, this is a forest species, which forages in grassland.
Systems
- Terrestrial
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
Trusted
Habitat
The Philippine brown deer occupies a variety of habitats, from wooded lowlands to forested mountain slopes, up to 2,900 metres above sea level (2).
© Wildscreen
Source:
ARKive
Trusted
Life History and Behavior
Life Expectancy
Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
Observations: Little is known about the longevity of these endangered animals, but one specimen was about 17.4 years when it died in captivity (Richard Weigl 2005).
© Joao Pedro de Magalhaes
Source:
AnAge
Trusted
Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
VU
Vulnerable
Red List Criteria
A2cd
Version
3.1
Year Assessed
2008
Assessor/s
Oliver, W., MacKinnon, J., Ong, P. & Gonzales, J.C.
Reviewer/s
Black, P.A. & Gonzalez, S. (Deer Red List Authority)
Justification
Listed as Vulnerable because of a population decline, estimated to be more than 30% over the last three generations (approximately 24 years), inferred from over-exploitation, shrinkage in distribution, and habitat destruction and degradation.
History
- 1996Data Deficient
- 1994Rare(Groombridge 1994)
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
Trusted
Trends
Population
Population
Population Trend
Populations of this species are fragmented, but are reported to be locally common in isolated areas, but heavily hunted and declining throughout most of its range (Danielsen et al., 1994). The largest populations are located on Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, and Leyte (Oliver et al., 1991). Local extinctions have been reported on Biliran (Heaney et al., 1991; Rickart et al., 1993), and probably Bohol and Marinduque (W. Oliver pers. comm.). Population declines have been reported in the subspecies R. m. barandana, which has the most restricted range on Mindoro, and which island has been severely deforested, especially in lowland areas (Oliver et al. , 1991). The overall population of the species remains unknown, but a decline of 30% over three generations (estimated at 24 years) seems plausible.
Population Trend
Decreasing
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
Trusted
Threats
Threats
Major Threats
The species is threatened due to continuing and severe loss of habitat due to illegal logging, human encroachment, agricultural encroachment and mining (Villamor, 1991). It is intensively hunted throughout its range for meat, hides, trophies, and trade, and legal protective measures are often not enforced (Villamor, 1991). Some subpopulations or subspecies are now severely threatened. Removal of animals from the wild for commercial purposes and the establishment of deer farms near protected areas (consisting of this species and introduced/foreign species) are a potential threat through the spread of disease and hybridization. Because of its small population size, the Mindoro subspecies (R. m. barandana) is highly threatened, due to the same causes (with intense habitat loss, as over 90% of forest cover has gone on the island).
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
Trusted
Threats
The main threat to the Philippine brown deer is hunting for its meat, compounded by the ongoing destruction of its habitat (2) (8). Despite portions of this species' range being located in protected areas within the Philippines, poor enforcement of regulations allows widespread illegal logging activity, mining, and conversion of land to agriculture (10). As a consequence of these threats, the Philippine brown deer's population is highly fragmented and declining throughout most of its range (1).
© Wildscreen
Source:
ARKive
Trusted
Management
Conservation Actions
Conservation Actions
Enforcement of existing regulations and protected area management is inadequate and requires strengthening. Some subpopulations or subspecies are severely threatened and may need to be considered individually for management purposes. Captive breeding of this species was advocated by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) as a means of supporting rural communities. A large herd mixed with domestic stock is maintained on a ranch in Batangas, medium-sized deer farms (30–40 animals) exist in the Bicol region, and small backyard farms (3–5 animals) are found on Luzon. However, it is most unlikely that these initiatives might ever mitigate threats to any wild populations, as originally supposed, partly because of the increased demand for wild-caught founder breeding stocks, but also (and perhaps more importantly) it is virtually inconceivable that the commensurate establishment of legal markets in locally produced venison would not be widely abused for the continued sale of illegally-caught specimens; especially given the ineffective enforcement of existing protective legislation pertaining to these and other commercially valuable species.
Recommended conservation actions include:
1. Conduct surveys of Philippine deer populations on all major islands to determine their relative abundance, and the nature and extent of threats, and efficacy of any existing protective measures.
2. (Re-)investigate the systematic relationships of these animals from and within all major islands, especially within the ‘Greater Mindanao Faunal Region’, and secure comparative specimens from currently undescribed populations on Samar, Leyte and other smaller islands.
3. Identify most ‘at risk’ populations based on the aforementioned surveys and systematic studies, and formulate and implement consensual recommendations for the enhanced future protection (and/or recovery) of the most threatened populations/taxa; any such recommendations to also include: the development of new ‘protected areas’ (and/or enhanced protection and management of existing protected areas) where existing habitat and species’ protection measures are clearly inadequate at present; and the re-evaluation and amendment of the evident existing anomalies between permissible subsistence hunting of non-threatened species by indigenous people versus contrary and more recent amendments to the threatened status rankings of traditionally targeted species/subspecies, and/or genuine subsistence hunting versus recreational (and/or commercial) hunting by local community hunters who are no longer economically dependant on such resources.
4. Conduct a field investigation of species in an undisturbed population, preferably within a protected area.
5. Re-examine the whole precepts of local deer farming initiatives in the Philippines, and the extend to which they help or hinder conservation.
Recommended conservation actions include:
1. Conduct surveys of Philippine deer populations on all major islands to determine their relative abundance, and the nature and extent of threats, and efficacy of any existing protective measures.
2. (Re-)investigate the systematic relationships of these animals from and within all major islands, especially within the ‘Greater Mindanao Faunal Region’, and secure comparative specimens from currently undescribed populations on Samar, Leyte and other smaller islands.
3. Identify most ‘at risk’ populations based on the aforementioned surveys and systematic studies, and formulate and implement consensual recommendations for the enhanced future protection (and/or recovery) of the most threatened populations/taxa; any such recommendations to also include: the development of new ‘protected areas’ (and/or enhanced protection and management of existing protected areas) where existing habitat and species’ protection measures are clearly inadequate at present; and the re-evaluation and amendment of the evident existing anomalies between permissible subsistence hunting of non-threatened species by indigenous people versus contrary and more recent amendments to the threatened status rankings of traditionally targeted species/subspecies, and/or genuine subsistence hunting versus recreational (and/or commercial) hunting by local community hunters who are no longer economically dependant on such resources.
4. Conduct a field investigation of species in an undisturbed population, preferably within a protected area.
5. Re-examine the whole precepts of local deer farming initiatives in the Philippines, and the extend to which they help or hinder conservation.
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
Trusted
Conservation
In the areas where it has been introduced, the Philippine brown deer is afforded some protection, as it is illegal to hunt the deer on Saipan, and hunting regulations are in effect on Guam and Rota. Unfortunately, despite this regulation, illegal hunting continues unabated (8). In its native range, there are currently no specific measures in place to conserve the Philippine brown deer. In order to effectively protect this species, National Park regulations must be properly enforced and the protective area network expanded (1). Conservation International-Philippines is currently collaborating with the Field Museum in Chicago, the Haribon Foundation and local partners in the Philippines to identify and delineate Key Biodiversity Areas containing globally threatened or geographically restricted species. These areas will help to inform policy makers about where the most important areas requiring protection are situated (10).
© Wildscreen
Source:
ARKive
Trusted
Wikipedia
Philippine deer
The Philippine deer (Rusa marianna), also known as the Philippine sambar, is a species of deer native to the forests and grasslands on most larger islands of the Philippines,[2]. It is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to its increasingly fragmented populations as a result of habitat loss and hunting.
The Philippine deer was introduced to Guam by the Spanish governor Mariano Tobias between 1770 and 1774 as a game species (William Edwin Safford, 1905). Although scarce in its native range in the Philippines, it is overpopulated in many areas of Guam, posing serious threats to plant communities by overgrazing.
It was also introduced to Rota, Saipan, and Pohnpei but those populations did not take hold like they did in Guam.
Gallery
Rusa marianna in Davao on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.
See also
References
- ^ Oliver, W., MacKinnon, J., Ong, P. & Gonzales, J.C. (2008). Rusa marianna. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 8 April 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of vulnerable.
- ^ Grubb, Peter (16 November 2005). Wilson, Don E., and Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. (2142 pp.). pp. 669-670. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14200440.
Source:
Wikipedia
Unreviewed
Disclaimer
EOL content is automatically assembled from many different content providers. As a result, from time to time you may find pages on EOL that are confusing.
To request an improvement, please leave a comment on the page. Thank you!
