Hairy-fronted muntjac

The hairy-fronted muntjac, also known as the black muntjac, is a rare deer species native to southeastern China, particularly in the provinces of Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, and Fujian. This species is currently classified as endangered, with population estimates suggesting that only about 5,000 to 10,000 individuals remain in this region. There have been reports of sightings in Burma; however, these observations may actually pertain to the Gongshan muntjac, leading to some confusion and debate.

Studying the hairy-fronted muntjac has proven to be exceedingly challenging due to their elusive nature. However, the advent of camera traps has been revolutionary, capturing images of these deer in locations where they were previously believed to be absent, such as the Wuyanling National Nature Reserve. This species was once among the least understood deer in the world and was considered critically endangered. Up until 1975, most of the information Western scientists possessed about them was derived from museum specimens.

Regrettably, the hairy-fronted muntjac has been extensively hunted throughout the 20th century. In 1978 alone, approximately 2,000 individuals were reportedly killed. By the early 1990s, the population in China was estimated to be around 10,000; however, it has since declined significantly, likely dropping below 7,000 individuals today.