Sambar deer

The sambar is a large deer species native to the Indian subcontinent, South China, and Southeast Asia. Since 2008, it has been listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, primarily due to hunting, insurgency, and habitat destruction. Interestingly, the name "sambar" also refers to related species such as the Philippine sambar and the Sunda sambar.

Sambar deer exhibit considerable variation in appearance depending on their geographical location, but males are generally larger than females. They have large, rugged antlers and a shaggy coat that ranges in color from yellowish-brown to dark grey. These deer thrive in dense cover across various habitats and are known to be excellent swimmers. They communicate through scent marking and foot stamping.

Their diet consists of a wide variety of vegetation, and they face formidable predators including tigers, Asiatic lions, crocodiles, leopards, and dholes. Sambar display unique behaviors such as standing on their hind legs, forming defensive formations against threats, and vocalizing when they sense danger.

Regarding reproduction, sambar mate throughout the year, although there is a seasonal peak in calving. The gestation period lasts about eight months, typically resulting in the birth of a single calf. In captivity, sambar can live up to 28 years.

Genetic studies indicate that the Javan rusa is the closest living relative to the sambar. Fossil records suggest that the sambar likely originated in southern Asia during the Pleistocene epoch.

Sambar have been introduced to various parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. In Australia, sambar hunting is a popular activity, but the deer pose a threat to native plants and biodiversity. They have spread widely and are managed through hunting regulations in different states.

In New Zealand, sambar deer were once protected but can now be hunted year-round. In the United States, sambar deer were introduced to St. Vincent Island, Florida. Hunting permits are issued there to regulate their population and minimize their impact on native species.