Indian Sambar Deer
(Rusa unicolor niger)
Indian Sambar deer are another of the several subspecies of Sambar we have here at Watatunga Wildlife Reserve. These Sambar are thought to originate in Indian and Ceylon where they prefer rocky hills and heavy wooded areas where they can find relief from the sun; due to their naturally dark coloration, Sambar tend to attract the heat. Due to strict breeding programs of the Sambar, we tend to keep the two subspecies separate to avoid the males harming one another and hybridising.
Gestation period:
236 – 246 days
Threats to species:
As with the Malayan Sambar, the main threats to Sambar deer are the loss of habitat and illegal poaching.
MEET THE ANIMALS
