Eld’s deer  (Rucervus eldii)

Eld’s deer are widely hunted as food and for their antlers (10). In particular, Eld’s deer are thought to have been hunted to feed the armies during many Asian wars (7). They are a prized game animal because of their impressive antlers and hides, which are sold in the local markets (10). Habitat destruction due to expanding agriculture has also had a major impact on this rare species. In Manipur, the Manipur brow-antlered deer (R. e. eldii) population has declined primarily due to wetland reclamation for grazing, cultivation and fish farming (10). Very little suitable habitat is protected; only one percent of the protected forests in Southeast Asia are suitable for Eld’s deer (8). Even within protected areas, these threats continue. The Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary, Myanmar, is one of the last strongholds of the species, yet the dipterocarp forest within it continues to be degraded under great pressure from local communities for cropland and timber (11). Sadly, there is often a lack of funding and political will for protection (9). Due to their highly fragmented distribution this species is also at risk from inbreeding and loss of genetic variation (9).

Eld’s deer occur in a number of protected areas throughout its range. The entire Manipur brow-antlered deer (R. e. eldii) population now resides within Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur (1), created in 1977 specifically to protect this subspecies (10). Additionally, local projects have helped raise public awareness and support for conserving the deer (10). Hainan Datian Nature Reserve on Hainan Island, China, was established in 1976 specifically to help the Thailand brow-antlered deer (R. e. siamensis) subspecies recover, with the population now growing an average of 15 percent annually (12). This population has become so large, in fact, that large numbers have been translocated to other parts of the island (12). Kyatthin and Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuaries were established in Myanmar to protect the Burmese brow-antlered deer (R. e. thamin) subspecies, and a community education project was initiated in 1995 to raise local awareness about the plight of the deer and the protected status of the Kyatthin Wildlife Sanctuary (10). Captive populations exist around the world, but inbreeding is common and cooperative cross-breeding is required if captive populations are to be genetically varied enough for any future reintroduction programmes into the wild (9).