After 15 difficult years, the population of Formosan sika deer in Kenting National Park has risen to more than 1,500, a major success in the country’s efforts to conserve the endemic species.
The number of Formosan sika deer has grown from 22 in 1986 to 1,500 in 2006, thanks to a breeding project initiated by the Kenting National Park Administration in 1994.
The Formosan sika deer is one of the 13 subspecies of sika deer scattered mostly around Southeast Asia.
It is bigger than other members of the Sika family.
The wild animal, which thrived in hilly areas around Taiwan prior to the late 19th century, was an important economic resource for Aborigines and early migrants.
The population declined sharply in the early 20th century, however, because of excessive hunting for its skin and antlers as well as human encroachment.
Formosan sika deer were probably extinct in the wild by 1969 and could only be seen at zoos or private ranches.
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