Endangered Visayan Spotted Deer Arrive at Watatunga

We’re incredibly proud to share some exciting news from the reserve, three Visayan spotted deer, one of the world’s most endangered deer species, have arrived at Watatunga Wildlife Reserve.

These new residents, one male and two females, made the 1,000-mile journey across the UK to join our wildlife reserve of rare and threatened species. It’s a big moment for us here in Norfolk and for the team at Watatunga, welcoming the Visayan spotted deer feels like both a privilege and a duty. It’s a project that gives Norfolk a chance to play its part in protecting a species that’s perilously close to disappearing.

A Rare and Remarkable Species

The Visayan spotted deer (Rusa alfredi), also known as the Philippine spotted deer, is thought to be the most endangered deer species on Earth. Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, fewer than 700 individuals are believed to remain in the wild, living only on the Philippine islands of Negros and Panay.

Once widespread across four islands, their population has drastically declined due to habitat loss and hunting, and conservationists now warn the species could face Critically Endangered status in the near future.

A Journey Across the UK

Our new arrivals came from Colchester Zoo, Chester Zoo and Edinburgh Zoo, each representing a different bloodline within the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). This collaboration helps strengthen the long-term genetic health of the species, ensuring every new breeding group contributes to its survival.

The logistics of their move involved hundreds of emails, health checks, and coordination across multiple teams, all overseen by our specialist ungulate vet. Thankfully, at just over a year old, the trio were young enough to settle and bond quickly once they arrived. Transporting such sensitive animals takes time and care, but the effort is always worth it. Each new breeding group helps strengthen the population and brings the Visayan spotted deer one step further from extinction.

Now, they’re happily exploring their new 170-acre home at Watatunga Wildlife Reserve, enjoying a mix of grasslands, dense cover and wetlands that closely mirrors their natural environment. They’re already showing positive, relaxed behaviours and are quickly becoming a tight-knit little group.

A Breeding Future for Visayan Spotted Deer in Norfolk

Watatunga is now one of just eight sites in the UK and 32 across Europe to care for Visayan spotted deer. Our hope is that this group will form a successful breeding population, supporting the EEP by producing future offspring for other collections and, one day, possibly contributing to reintroduction projects in the Philippines.

In their new home, the deer will enjoy a diet of grasses, leaves, and browse, with over 24 species of browsable trees available across the reserve. The young male has already shown protective behaviour toward his two females, a touching reminder of how precious and instinctive these animals are.

This is the first time Visayan spotted deer have ever been kept in Norfolk, adding another chapter to the county’s proud conservation story.

See Them on Safari

Visitors may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the group on one of our guided self-drive safari tours. While they may prefer to keep to the quieter corners of the reserve, a patient eye (and a little luck) might just reward you with a sighting of these beautiful, dappled deer.

We’re thrilled to be playing a part in their story and to keep up to date with them follow @WatatungaWildlifeReserve on social media. Found out more on our conservation work on our conservation page here.