- Giant Muntjac
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Giant Muntjac Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Suborder: Ruminantia Family: Cervidae Subfamily: Muntiacinae Genus: Muntiacus Species: M. vuquangensis Binomial name Muntiacus vuquangensis
(Wemmer et al., 1998)
Geographic range Synonyms Megamuntiacus vuquangensis (Do Tuoc et al., 1994)
The Giant Muntjac sometimes referred to as the Large-Antlered Muntjac (Muntiacus vuquangensis) is a species of muntjac deer. It is the largest muntjac species and was discovered in 1994 in Vu Quang, Ha Tinh province of Vietnam and in central Laos. During inundation of the Nakai Reservoir in Khammouane Province of Laos for the Nam Theun 2 Multi-Purpose Project, 38 giant muntjac were captured, studied and released into the adjacent Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area. Subsequent radio-tracking of a sample of these animal showed the relocation was successful [2] . The species is also located in parts of eastern Cambodia, as well as the Truong Son Mountains.[3] The giant muntjac is commonly found in evergreen forests and weighs about 66-110 lb.[4] It has a red brown coat and is an even-toed ungulate. Due to slash and burn agriculture, combined with hunting, the giant muntjac is considered endangered. It is preyed upon by animals such as the tiger and leopard. It is most closely related to the Indian Muntjac.
References
- ^ Timmins, R.J., Duckworth, J.W. & Long, B. (2008). Muntiacus vuquangensis. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 5 April 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of endangered.
- ^ [1]
- ^ WWF: Giant muntjac (Muntiacus vuquangensis)
- ^ Animal Info - Giant Muntjac
- ^ Dam Project Reveals Secret Sanctuary of Vanishing Deer, Richard Stone, Science, 4 September 2009: 1192.
External links
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