Philippine deer (Rusa marianna)

Philippine deer (Rusa marianna)

Threatened Species

Dr Abe V Rotor

Philippine deer (Rusa marianna)

Description

The Philippine deer, also known as the Philippine sambar or Philippine brown deer, is a vulnerable deer species endemic to the Philippines. It was first described from introduced populations in the Mariana Islands, hence the specific name. Wikipedia

Scientific name: Rusa marianna
Conservation status: Vulnerable (Population decreasing) Encyclopedia of Life
Family: Cervidae
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Artiodactyla
Kingdom: Animalia

• The Philippine Deer (Rusa marianna) goes by several different names. It is often  referred to as the Philippine Sambar or the Philippine Brown Deer,  endemic to the Philippine Islands. It prefers the low grasslands but it is being driven higher into the mountains to seek cover and evade hunting. The Philippine Sambar lives on steep mountain slopes covered by forest and in clearings within the forest, at altitudes up to 3000 metres.

• The Philippine Sambar is similar in appearance and habits to the other species of Sambar, and is obviously closely related to them. Its body length is 100 to 150 cm, and it weighs 40 to 60 kg. The antlers of the males have 2 to 3 tines, and grow on average to between 30 and 40 cm.

• Philippine Sambar Deer feed mostly on mountain species of grasses and herbaceous plants. They have a maximum lifespan of about 15 years and like most species, wild deer don’t live as long. Humans rarely see Philippine Brown Deer because they are mostly nocturnal. They lead mostly solitary lives, although they may be seen in small groups occasionally. Their main predator is man. (Acknowledgement with thanks: Internet)

Private collection on display at the author's residence

San Vicente, Ilocos Sur

A friendly family of Philippine deer mural at author's residence