The sambar is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent, South China and Southeast Asia that is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List since 2008. Populations have declined substantially due to severe hunting, local insurgency, and industrial exploitation of habitat. Wikipedia
Scientific name: Rusa unicolor
A species which was wiped out in Singapore in the 1950s but thanks to a few escapees from public and private local zoos, is making a comeback here.
Sambar deer live in forested areas and are nocturnal. They move around the forests at night and come out to forest edges to graze under the cover of darkness. They are, however, extremely shy and will bolt for cover when they sense our presence. That is why despite their large sizes, these deer are hardly ever seen.
Text and photo by Daryl Tan Photos are copyrighted to Daryl Tan
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