Habitat: Forests of SE Asia
Status: Endangered
DAK Locale: Maharajah Jungle Trek
The Eld's deer is an endangered species located in Asia with three different subspecies found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and China. It is also sometimes called the thamin or the brow-antlered deer.
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| The Eld's Deer has been at the Animal Kingdom since the Jungle Trek opened in 1999, like this male |
The species is generally found alone or in pairs. However, during mating season, a bull male will try to create a harem of several breeding females. He will spend a large portion of the time attempting to fight off rivals for his females. There is usually a single calf born which like many other types of deer have spots as camouflage for the broken light of the forest floor.
They are endangered. As a large deer species with impressive antlers, they are a popular game prize. They are also a favored prey for local hunters. In times of war, they would be slaughtered in mass to feed armies. In many areas, there is very little suitable habitat left thanks to deforestation.
By Safari Mike
