Formosan sika deer

Formosan sika deer

　　The Formosan sika deer (scientific name: Cervus nippon taiouanus, English name: Formosan sika deer), belonging to the deer family, is a herbivorous animal and an endemic subspecies of Taiwan. It has a body length of about 150 cm, prefers living in groups, and its name comes from the white plum-blossom spots on its back. Mating occurs between October and December each year, while the calving season takes place from June to August of the following year. The offspring born include males with antlers and females without.

　　 After 1969, the Formosan sika deer existed only in captivity. Thanks to conservation and reintroduction efforts, wild populations can now be found in Kenting National Park and Green Island.

　　 History

　　 In 1603 (the 31st year of the Wanli era during the Ming Dynasty), Chen Di’s *Dongfan Ji* contains numerous records about the Formosan sika deer. During the Dutch and Spanish colonial period in Taiwan, due to high demand for deer hides, the species was heavily hunted and nearly driven to extinction. By 1969, habitat destruction and excessive hunting had led to the disappearance of wild Formosan sika deer. All individuals seen today are part of the captive breeding program at Kenting National Park.

　　 Current Status

　　 The confirmed purebred population originated from the Taipei Zoo. The Taipei Zoo once gifted Formosan sika deer to the Kinmen Livestock Research Institute, so currently, the only places in Taiwan that keep purebred Formosan sika deer are the Taipei Zoo and Kinmen.

　　 As for the wild population, they are located in Kenting National Park, also descending from the Taipei Zoo. Over twenty years ago, a reintroduction and conservation project was carried out at Sheding Nature Park in Kenting, which has been considered quite successful. Through multiple releases and regular monitoring, the total number of wild Formosan sika deer in Kenting National Park has surpassed two hundred and continues to rise, sparking discussions about reintroducing them to other original habitats. Another wild population is found on Green Island, consisting of individuals that escaped from past local residents’ herds. Their numbers have also exceeded two hundred, but since the sika deer are non-native to Green Island, this has also led to differing opinions.