Truong Son Muntjac

Never seen by scientists

No living specimen of the Truong Son muntjac (Muntiacus truongsonensis) has been observed by scientists. Only its skulls were examined while descriptions were acquired by interviewing villagers. Locally, it is called samsoi cacoong, meaning “the deer that lives in the deep, thick forest.”

Three years after finding the largest muntjac species (the giant muntjac) in the forests of Vietnam, possibly the smallest muntjac species has been discovered: weighing about 15 kilogrammes, and half the size of the common muntjac, scientists are calling the new species the Truong Son muntjac, after the mountain range where it was found.

The Truong Son muntjac was first discovered in April, 1997 by scientists from WWF, Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Da Nang University. After the Institute of Zoology, University of Copenhagen analysed genetic tissue samples, it was confirmed as a new species of muntjac.

This is the third new species of large mammal that scientists have discovered in Vietnam in recent years.

What is the status of this species and why does this species need to be conserved?

The new muntjac is known to live at altitudes ranging from 400-1000 metres, in forests with dense undergrowth, which its small size allows it to move freely through.

This species needs to be conserved as it has special scientific value. It needs to be protected together with other valuable natural resources rich in biodiversity .