The Kuhl’s hog deer Axis kuhlii
The Kuhl’s hog deer, also known as the Bawean deer is endemic to the small Indonesian island of Bawean (area 196.27 sq. km), located between Borneo and Java. This deer was named after German zoologist and naturalist Heihrich Kuhl. The Kuhl’s deer’s body length is about 140 cm, shoulder height ranges from 65 to 70 cm and weight, from 50 to 60 cm. Like many other inhabitants of the forests, the Kuhl’s deer has the body that is lower at shoulder than at the hip which helps this deer to move through dense understory. Antlers in the males have three branches and are relatively short. These deer are either solitary or live in pairs feeding on tree leaves, herbs, and grasses. The Kuhl’s deer may mate throughout the year, but the majority of births occur in February to June. After the 230-day long gestation period the female usually gives birth to only one offspring (two are very uncommon). The calves have spotted coat but this pattern fade when they get older. The Kuhl’s deer is a very rare animal; it is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Major threats to this species include habitat loss and predation by feral dogs. The wild population of the Kuhl’s deer is estimated at about 250 mature individuals.
