A male and female giant muntjac (Muntiacus vuquangensis) were captured on camera in Quang Nam, Vietnam for the first time since 2000. This photo evidence is a rarity, with extremely limited documentations of this species by scientists to date.
Since the two observed muntjacs are mature and of reproductive age, researchers are hopeful that there is still a breeding population in the wild. After limited sightings and the collection of over 100,000 snares from their habitat from 2011-2017, the giant muntjac was listed as Critically Endangered in 2016.
Although first reported by a hunter in early 1900s, there are only three listed in the record book. These animals are elusive, living in small groups of one or two in the forest around Vietnam.
In addition to the giant muntjac, camera trap surveys documented additional conservation priority speciesin the area as well, including Owston’s civet (Chrotogale owstoni), Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), Annamite striped rabbit (Nesolagus timminsi), and pangolin (Manis spp).
Source: Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)
