Muntjac deer
Muntiacus reevesi
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Photo credit: ©GBNNSS
Habitat:
Origin and Distribution:
Impacts:
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
How did it get Here?
Prevent Spread
Current Legislative Position (Listed on 03 August 2016)
Habitat:
- Deciduous or coniferous forests, preferably with a diverse understorey.
- Also found in scrub and over-grown gardens in urban areas.
Description:
- It is a small, stocky deer with a russet brown coat in summer, which changes to grey brown in winter.
- The males have long pedicles, short antlers and visible upper canines in bucks. The antlers are up to 10cm long, and are usually unbranched; old males may have brow tines. Very large facial glands below the eyes.
- The ginger forehead has pronounced black lines running to the pedicles in bucks, dark U shape in does.
- Its haunches are higher than its withers, giving a hunched appearance. It has a fairly wide tail, which is held erect when disturbed.
- Bucks are 44-52cm tall, and 10-18kg in weight. Does are 43-52cm tall, and 9-16kg in weight.
Origin and Distribution:
- Originally from china, the muntjac deer was deliberately introduced to England in the early 20th Century.
- It is now widespread in England and Wales.
Impacts:
- Muntjac deer destroy the understory of forests by overgrazing; act as a reservoir for diseases (bovine TB) and parasites for domestic livestock; strip bark from trees and trampling of vegetation which in turn may lead to increased soil erosion.
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- It is found in Northern Ireland.
- More distribution information can be found at NBN Atlas NI.
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
How did it get Here?
- Importing these species is the only viable pathway of introduction. Therefore, the main pathways into Ireland will be through the main ports of entry (by sea or by air). Importation of this species maybe allowed under licence but illegal smuggling is also a very real possibility.
Prevent Spread
- These animals tend to be very mobile so are capable of moving freely throughout the country side. However, long distance movement by individuals remains a possibility. This activity is currently prohibited in both jurisdictions and therefore an individual undertaking movement of deer species is committing an offence.
- Do not introduce muntjac.
- Report all sightings.
Current Legislative Position (Listed on 03 August 2016)
- This species must not intentionally be brought into the Union; kept; bred; transported to, from or within the United Kingdom, unless for the transportation to facilities in the context of eradication; placed on the market; used or exchanged; permitted to reproduce, grown or cultivated; or released into the environment.
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