New Population of Rare Deer Found in Laos
Sep. 12 — A team of scientists discovered an isolated population of Eld's deer in northern Laos, providing hope that the rare species may yet survive over-hunting and extinction, the Wildlife Conservation Society said in a recent press release.
Eld's deer have already vanished from Cambodia and Thailand, said the release. The deer fed the Khmer Rouge army during Cambodia's civil war, an episode believed to have wiped out these populations.
Today Eld's deer persist in very low numbers in Myanmar and southern Laos. The population in northern Laos came as a complete surprise to scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Smithsonian National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center who discovered it.
The northern population of Eld's deer lives near a series of isolated villages, said the release. The villagers have largely refrained from hunting the deer, which has been legally protected in Laos since 1995.
"This is an exciting discovery both for science and the people of Laos," said Arlyne Johnson of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Lao Program in the release. "Now that we know that Eld's deer persists, we must ensure that it survives."
The Wildlife Conservation Society and the Smithsonian are working with local partners in Laos to establish a "National Eld's Deer Sanctuary" to protect the population. The sanctuary would also protect other rare and unique species in the region, such as Asiatic jackals, silver langurs, barking deer and wild pigs, which have been exterminated throughout much of the country by over-hunting.
The groups also plan to launch a public awareness campaign to build local understanding of the deer, its significance and its habitat.
By Jason Robey
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Name: Eld's Deer, aka Brow-Antlered Deer ( Cervus eldi)
Primary Classification: Cervidae (Deer)
Location: Southeast Asia.
Habitat: Scrub jungle, dry forest, marsh, lowland streams and seasonal pools.
Diet: Grass, leaves and fallen fruits.
Size: Up to 6.5 ft in length and 210 lbs in weight.
Description: Reddish-brown coat. Males have long, seasonal antlers that sweep from front to back in one continuous curve.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Major Threat: Habitat loss and poaching.
What Can I Do?: Visit the Wildlife Conservation Society for information on how you can help.
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