Barking Deer: Gentle Creature Of The Wild

The barking deer, scientifically known as Muntiacus muntjak, is an attractive inhabitant of the dense tropical and subtropical forests of Nepal. Ratuwa Mriga is a common Nepali term for this animal. Recognised for its shyness, this small, smooth, and beautiful creature has gained its moniker due to its ability to emit continuous barking sounds for up to an hour as an alarm in the face of danger. The term "barking deer" encompasses various species within the Muntiacini tribe of the Cervidae family, known for their distinctive noise.

These adorable creatures play a vital role in the ecosystems and are primarily solitary and crepuscular, displaying peak activity during dawn and dusk. Distributed across national parks, community forests, and hilly regions in Nepal, barking deer's prime habitat occupies a significant portion of the country, as indicated by the Department of Forest Research and Survey (2015). Barking deer, with small unbranched antlers of up to 15 cm make territorial fights using their horns and canines for struggle. Their coat is short, soft and darkens from brown to yellow with its white dorsum. Males are more substantial than females, and they have an inch-long top which curls outside displaying aggressions. They have a lifespan of 20-30 years. They defend themselves from predators but viciously claim their territory.

Despite a declining population, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorised the barking deer as "least concerned." This species extends its habitat beyond Nepal, being found in southern Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, the Riau Islands, Belitung, Java, Wali, and Borneo. It represents one of eleven Muntjack species across Asia, part of the well-known genus Muntiacus, which includes the Indian muntjac, common muntjac, Formosan muntjac, Chinese muntjac, and others.

Taxonomic studies by Colin Groves and Peter Grubb in the 1990s suggested the existence of distinct species within the red muntjacs. In 2011, further taxonomic research identified three different species in India, including Muntiacus vaginalis in some regions of northeast India, Nepal, and Myanmar. This research also differentiated the red Muntjacs of north-west and central India (Muntiacus aureus) and the red Muntjacs of the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka (Muntiacus malabaricus) as three distinct species, refining the understanding of the barking deer's taxonomy and distribution.

Habitat and breeding

The barking deer lives in tropics and sub-tropical areas such as deciduous forests, grasslands, savannas, and shrubs, which are also known to survive up the mountains at an altitude of 300 metres above sea level. They prefer to live in thick forests, and their small size combined with a secretive lifestyle contributes effectively to the avoidance of predators. With a good sense of hearing, such deer produce alarm calls upon the detection of perils to enable group flight. They feed on grass, fruits, shoots, and seeds that may occur in the vicinity of forest fringes. Of particular interest are its scavenging tendencies and bark-calls in response to predators. Males create a territory that is discriminated against with scent markers, where territorial fights occur during mating. They have short horns and large canine teeth as their defensive weaponry. If they cannot secure a territory, weaker males fall prey to predators like tigers and leopards. However, during the rut, these boundaries become foggy as males search for receptive females, emphasising the dynamics of barking deer behaviour in relation to environmental change.

The barking deer is polygamous, exhibiting specific breeding seasons varying by region. Breeding occurs year-round, with peak activity marked by intensified vocalisations from males attracting females. Females reach sexual maturity in their first to second years, cycling every 14 to 21 days with a 2-day estrus. A 6 to 7 month gestation results in single or occasional twin births. Cubs establish territories after 6 months, distinguishing barking deer from other ungulates by lacking a specific breeding season.

Threats

Barking deer face numerous threats, with primary concern being hunting for their meat and skin, especially on the fringes of agricultural zones where they are perceived as nuisance for causing vegetation damage and stripping tree bark. Their meat's popularity among predatory animals like tigers and leopards further exposes them to hunting pressure. Additionally, human-induced habitat loss and fragmentation contribute to the decline of their once-abundant population. In the central mountainous region of Nepal, barking deer constitute a significant portion of leopard prey, emphasising the impact of these threats on the species.

As per Asish Neupane, Conservation and Information Officer of Bardia National Park, the barking deer, the most widely distributed deer species in Nepal, spans from the Terai to hilly regions. Recognised as the smallest deer in Bardia and Chitwan National Parks, their distinct vocalisation, akin to a dog's bark, serves as a warning signal against predators.

Despite their adaptability, the species faces severe threats in Nepal, primarily from poaching and habitat loss, as noted in various studies. Legal measures are in place to deter such activities, with Section 26 of the National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act, 2029, imposing fines ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 rupees or imprisonment from 6 months to 1 year for unauthorised hunting and harm to wild animals within designated conservation areas.

(The author is a wildlife photographer. The photos used in this article are by the author himself.)