Feral Animals of the Northern Territory

Sambar Deer

Family: Cervidae

Scientific names: Cervus unicolor

Other common names: Ceylon elk, Sambar

Background

Eighteen deer species were introduced to Australian in the 1800’s. Of these, six species including the sambar deer, formed viable wild populations and are still present in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory. Within the Northern Territory, sambar deer are currently located on the Coburg Peninsula and in Western Arnhem Land.

Feeding

Sambar deer will eat almost any vegetation including eucalyptus leaves and prickly plants, as well as grasses, herbs and aquatic plants.

Breeding

Sambar deer reach sexual maturity at about 18 months. An adult female will produce on average one fawn per year. The gestation period for sambar deer is approximately eight months.

Impacts

Introduced deer are thought to negatively impact native vegetation as a result of overgrazing, browsing, trampling, ring-barking and dispersing weeds. Other potential impacts include erosion of waterways and decreased water quality. However, very little is known about the specific impacts of sambar deer within Australia. In other locations sambar deer are known to compete with native species, with likely negative impacts on native species in these areas.

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