The Visayan spotted deer (Cervus alfredi) is considered as the most endangered deer in the world. They used to be widely distributed in the six islands in the Visayas but are now considered extinct in four of these islands and are now believed to exist in the islands of Negros and Panay. It is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The Visayan spotted deer is no bigger than an ordinary dog. It is usually dark brown with light colored spots on its body. Unlike other spotted deer, the Visayan spotted deer do not lose its spots even when it reach adulthood.
In 2009, a team of British and Filipino scientists of the Negros Interior Biodiversity Expedition (NIBE) conducted a rapid assessment of the interior portion of the North Negros Natural Park which has not been done before.
Results of the expedition revealed exciting details about the biodiversity of North Negros Natural Park (NNNP) but the most important of all are signs that the rare Visayan spotted deer still lives in the forests of Negros. The scientists saw droppings and footprints of the spotted deer and that they believed belonged to two herds of the spotted deer with around 300 animals. It was the first time in 10 years that signs of their existence in their natural habitat were recorded.
Like the other endangered wildlife, humans are the biggest threat to the Visayan spotted deer. Loss of habitat due to kaingin, illegal logging, and agriculture are the major causes of forest degradation. Negros used to be 90% forests and now only 4% of that remains. These animals are also hunted for their meat and some are sold as exotic pets.
The Negros Forests Ecological Foundation, Inc. has a captive breeding program for the Visayan Spotted Deer. The animals are kept for educational and breeding purposes at the NFEFI Biodiversity Conservation Center located near the Capitol Lagoon.
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