The Species: Dark Annamite Muntjac

"The deer that lives in the deep, thick forest"

Scientific name	Muntiacus truongsonensis
Conservation status	Vulnerable
Status in Vietnam	not evaluated
Endemism	Vietnam, Lao PDR

Three years after finding the largest muntjac species (the large-antlered muntjac) in the forests of Vietnam, one of the smallest muntjac species was discovered in 1997 by a WWF/FIPI (Forest Inventory and Planning Institute) team in Hien District of Quang Nam province.

Weighing about 15 kg, the dark annamites muntjac, which scientists are calling the new species after the mountain range where it was found, is half the size of the red muntjac.

Its formal description is based on genetics. 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." The new muntjac is known to live at high altitudes, in forests with dense undergrowth, through which its small size allows it to move freely. However, hunting with snares throughout its range puts this species as risk.