Javan Rusa Deer Rusa timorensis rusa

Habitat and ecology

The deer prefer open dry and mixed deciduous forests, parklands and savannas. However, they are a flexible species who have been known to adapt to live in forests, mountains, shrublands and marshes; habitats between sea-level and up to 900 meters. Their diet consists primarily of grass and leaves, but their dentition and mouth shape allow them to eat herbs, bark, and even seaweed. Rusa deer are gregarious animals who live in herds of up to 25 individuals, however males and females tend to live separately except during mating season.  They are a diurnal species but are known to gather in large groups in open areas during the night and are particularly active at night during the mating season. 

Conservation and threats

The deer is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened species due to the declining and low number of individuals present in its native range.  The Javan rusa are native to Java and Bali, but has been introduced to Australia, Brazil, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Timor-Leste. Most populations occur outside its native range, with fewer than 10,000 mature individuals in contrast to approximately 60,000 found in Mauritius. Habitat loss and degradation and poaching are leading to a continuing decline in the population in its native habitat. The Javanese deer is highly praised for hunting game and the absence of predators in reserves make it unlikely that the herds would be threatened with decline in Mauritius.