Conservation patrol officers from Taroko National Park Administration recently spotted a Taiwan sika deer up close for the first time in a bamboo grove near the ski lodge along Provincial Highway 14A beside Hehuanshan. Deputy Director Zhang Dengwen of the park administration confirmed the sighting and noted that Taiwan sika deer are shy. Hikers may encounter them in the mountains, but are advised to keep their distance to avoid disturbing the animals.
Taiwan sika deer primarily inhabit high-altitude forest water sources at mid to high elevations. Panshi Mountain within Taroko National Park is one of their main habitats. In recent years, there has been a trend of the deer moving northward and to lower altitudes, which experts believe is related to the growing population.
According to hikers, traces of sika deer were found along a three-day trek from Panshi Mountain. Earlier this month, conservation patrol officers spotted an adult Taiwan sika deer during a morning inspection at the lower-altitude Ski Lodge and managed to take precious photos while locking eyes with the animal.
The park administration confirmed that, based on appearance, the deer was a male. The sighting occurred near the Qilai Mountain trailhead, close to the Hehuanshan Ski Lodge, at an altitude of about 3,158 meters. It is believed the sika deer migrated northward from Panshi Mountain, first climbing to the 3,607-meter-high Qilai North Peak before descending to the ski lodge area to forage. Approximately two to three deer were spotted.
Zhang Dengwen pointed out that Taiwan sika deer are shy, and human proximity can cause them stress or agitation. He urged visitors who encounter wildlife to maintain a safe distance and avoid disturbing the animals. Hikers are also reminded to adhere to “Leave No Trace” principles—whatever they bring into the mountains, they should take back out—to reduce environmental impact.
The Taiwan sika deer belongs to the deer family and is a unique subspecies of Taiwan. It is generally found in pristine forests above 1,500 meters in elevation, particularly in the Central Mountain Range and the mountainous regions of Hualien and Taitung. Taiwan sika deer are social animals, though males often roam alone and are typically active during dawn and dusk. They are good swimmers and often gather near water sources to forage or move about. They inhabit forests and prefer high-altitude water sources or grasslands near streams. As herbivores, their diet mainly consists of leaves and tender grass. There are also many farmed populations among the public.
(China Times)