Giant muntjac (muntiacus vuquangensis)
How was this species discovered?
In 1994 the Ministry of Forestry, Forest Inventory and Planning Institute of Vietnam and WWF in Vu Quang, Ha Tinh province, conducted a survey on the distribution of a newly discovered species of sao la. Their work revealed the existence of a second new ruminant species - a medium-sized deer – the giant muntjac.
The new deer is most closely related to the common muntjac (Muntiacus muntjac) with which it is sympatric but differs significantly from known muntjac species in several characteristics.
As the name suggests, it is the largest muntjac species and is characterized by short, thick pedicles and long antlers and tines.
What is the status of this species and why does this species need to be conserved?
In Vietnam, skulls with horns of this species have been found in many forest areas along the Truong Son Mountain range. The giant muntjac was found concurrently in central Lao PDR.
The giant muntjac has a wider distribution than the saola, which is restricted to the Truong Son Mountains.
Like other large ungulate mammals, the giant muntjac is an important species which contributes to this unique biodiversity and helps keep the balance of the forest ecosystem. This means it also contributes to the food base of globally important endangered carnivores such as the tiger and leopard.
There is currently insufficient data to determine population size or conservation status. However, the giant muntjac is threatened by heavy hunting pressure, as well as by habitat degradation due to logging and slash-and-burn agriculture.
What is WWF doing to conserve it?
- Vu Quang Project 1995-2000: Together with the saola, the habitat of the giant muntjac was protected by strengthening the management of the Vu Quang Nature Reserve and by supporting the livelihoods of local people.
- A survey in Nghe An and Ha Tinh province carried out in 1993-1994 provides baseline data for future conservation.
- The transboundary project (1995-1999) was designed to foster the cooperation between Vietnam, Lao PDR, Cambodia to conserve the forest of Truong Son mountain range
