Sika Deer

Sika Deer
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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Suborder: Ruminantia Family: Cervidae Genus: Cervus Species: nippon
Binomial name Cervus nippon
Subspecies Cervus nippon nippon Cervus nippon taiwanensis Cervus nippon keramae Cervus nippon mandarinus Cervus nippon grassianus Cervus nippon kopschi Cervus nippon hortulorum

The Sika Deer Cervus nippon is a typical member of the family Cervidae. It is native to East Asia, ranging from Siberia to Korea, Manchuria and Eastern China, and Vietnam. It is found also on Taiwan and Japan and some other smaller western Pacific islands. There are several geographically separated subspecies.

Sika deer are widespread in Japan, and readily become tame; at one time they were regarded as sacred. In the ancient capital city of Nara, they wander at will among the temples, and are much photographed (and fed) by tourists. In other parts of Asia, the deer have been extensively hunted, and several populations and subspecies are now endangered.

Sika deer have been introduced into a number of other countries including Australia, Austria, Denmark, Britain, France, Ireland, Jolo Island (south of the Philippines), New Zealand, Poland, Maryland, Morocco and the United States. In many cases they were originally introduced as ornamental animals in parkland, but establishing themselves in the wild.

In Britain several distinct wild populations now exist. Some of these are in isolated areas, for example on the island of Lundy, but others are contiguous with populations of the native Red Deer. Since the two species hybridise, this is a serious conservation concern.

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