The Philippine Brown Deer [cervus mariannus]. They are an important part of our breeding programme.

 

FACT FILE

The Philippine Brown Deer [cervus mariannus] is originally restricted to the Philippines but was later introduced into the Marianna Islands. It can be found throughout most of the country. O nce common, it is now rare due to hunting and habitat loss except in very isolated areas. It can be recognised easily by its hoof prints (bakas ng usa) and by the off cut shoots that it leaves behind after feeding, which were frequently seen in cassava plantations in forest clearings on Patnanungan.

It stays in localities in the interior where there are extensive areas still covered with forests especially dense primary and secondary forests and up to about 1,500 meters above sea level in transition mid-mountain-mossy type forest.

The deer feeds in grassland areas preferably close to the edges of forests, and when disturbed, will immediately run towards the dense forest growth for cover.