𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐑

𝙍𝙪𝙨𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖

𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 (𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒)

Have you ever wondered how the survival of a species mirrors the state of its environment?

The Bangsamoro Region has been home to a wide array of endemic species, including the Philippine deer, locally known as ‘𝘶𝘴𝘢’. This species is known for its predominantly brown color and white tail underside. Antlers are common among males and typically measure 20 to 40 cm. They are relatively smaller than those of the relative sambar deer and are generally nocturnal. The Philippine deer is more adaptable to various forest environments. During the mating season, females congregate in small groups composed of at most eight individuals, while males are solitary and aggressive.

The Philippine Deer has been recorded in the forests of Mindanao, Lanao del Sur, and the Basilan Islands, among other places. They live in primary and secondary forests, where they prefer to forage in grasslands. Their breeding season usually occurs between September to January. After six months of gestation, the females give birth to a single fawn with light-colored spots that eventually disappear after several weeks. The young are usually weaned when they are six months old and become reproductively mature from 18 months of age.

The 𝘙𝘶𝘴𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢, or Philippine Deer, plays a crucial role in the balance of our ecosystem. As herbivores, they aid in seed dispersal, ensuring the growth of plants that sustain the life of forests and their inhabitants. However, despite its ecological importance, human activity has pushed this species toward the brink of extinction. Habitat loss, illegal logging, human encroachment, agricultural encroachment, and mining have significantly contributed to the population loss of Philippine deer. It is also extensively hunted for its meat, skin, trophies, and trade. This resulted in it being listed as a Vulnerable species in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species in 2014.

Conservation efforts are underway, but these initiatives are struggling to keep pace with the destruction of the Philippine deer’s natural habitat. Its continuous population decline prompts us to ask: What’s our role in the conservation of this species’ population?

Protecting this species is not just about conservation but a reflection of our commitment to preserving our wildlife.

LET’S PROTECT THE PHILIPPINE DEER AND ITS HABITAT.