The Philippine Brown Deer is also an attraction in Cebu Zoo. Scientifically called Rusa Marianna (was called Cervus Mariannus before), this deer is endemic in the Philippines a few decades ago an has now been introduced to Guam, Micronesia and the Northern Mariana Islands.
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| A Philippine Brown Deer |
Also known as the Philippine Deer, this deer is listed as (DD) or Data Deficient on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) in 1996 due to insufficient and inadequate information for the conservation status.
It was later justified that the species of this deer is listed as Vulnerable because of population decline due to illegal hunting, habitat destruction and degradation and over-exploitation.
Philippine Brown Deers are relatively smaller than the deers found in Africa and America. Females or Does is relatively smaller than Males. A bull or the male of this animal can weigh up to 50 kilograms and their horns are also shorter than other deer species as it only measures from 7 to 15 inches. The whole coat on their body is covered brown except for their tail which has a distinctive white color.
The Philippine Brown Deer can be found on grasslands on mountain tops typically above 2,000 meters from sea level and on areas near edges of forests near to a stream or a river bank. Being nocturnal, it does its activity during night until dawn. It feeds on a variety of vegetation along with grasses, berries and fallen fruits on the ground.
It was later justified that the species of this deer is listed as Vulnerable because of population decline due to illegal hunting, habitat destruction and degradation and over-exploitation.
Philippine Brown Deers are relatively smaller than the deers found in Africa and America. Females or Does is relatively smaller than Males. A bull or the male of this animal can weigh up to 50 kilograms and their horns are also shorter than other deer species as it only measures from 7 to 15 inches. The whole coat on their body is covered brown except for their tail which has a distinctive white color.
The Philippine Brown Deer can be found on grasslands on mountain tops typically above 2,000 meters from sea level and on areas near edges of forests near to a stream or a river bank. Being nocturnal, it does its activity during night until dawn. It feeds on a variety of vegetation along with grasses, berries and fallen fruits on the ground.
Philippine Brown Deers usually mates between the months of September and January. During this period, the Females form a small group and the males remain in solitude. Gestation period for the Philippine Brown deer reach up to 8 months.During the birth the fawns (young deer) has visible white spots on its body which will eventually disapper in weeks.
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| The Philippine Brown Deer in Cebu Zoo |
