Bawean Deer

Axis kuhlii

Status: Critically endangered Region: Indonesia (Bawean Island) Population remaining: 200-500

The Bawean deer is only found on Bawean island 150km north of Surabaya in the Java Sea, and was used as one of the Asian Games 2018 mascots. Favouring secondary forest with dense undergrowth and intermittent grassy clearings, these nocturnal animals rest in dense forests in the day and at dusk move into clearings, where all forms of interactions like courting, fighting and mating occur. The deer are solitary but frequently use sharp barking sounds to locate one another. While hunting used to pose a threat to the species’ survival, the loss of suitable habitat is the main threat now. A breeding centre built on the island in 2003 has increased the deer population to a few dozen.