Introduction to Reeves’ Muntjac

Muntjac are the oldest but possibly the least studied and understood of all known deer species, prehistoric in origin with remains dated between 15 and 35 million years.

Muntjac buck standing in woodland clearing
Muntjac buck called in by Author for photography

The population now found in most of southern England is the Reeves’ Muntjac (muntiacus reevesi) named after John Reeves, who was an inspector with The East India Tea Company in 1812. Introduction to England by the Duke of Bedford about 1900 is widely accepted as the source of our population.

Through a series of escapes and deliberate releases, together with their prodigious breeding, high numbers of Muntjac pose a serious threat to woodland management; eating almost any plant material that grows within their browse line which in turn impacts upon the natural habitat of many species of plants, insects and small birds. However, agricultural and forestry damage is less than with the other much larger species of antlered deer.

2 thoughts on “Introduction to Reeves’ Muntjac

  1. Muntjac have just started coming into my garden , and it is not the deer that need looking after .
    They attacked my small westie and i had a job getting the Muntjac to back away as it then turned it’s attention on me, this was day one , next day we were having lunch under the trees in my garden when another one jumped the fence and went straight to attack my dog again , jumping on it’s back and trying to bite it , again it was lucky I was there , I had to pull holly away and kick out at the Deer so I could back away .

    It is also worrying for my neighbours who have small grand children that visit and play in their garden .

    Is there any help we can get to protect our pets and small children

  2. I feed one by hand also. Been doing so for last 9 years. Once i placed a piece of bread in between my lips and she took that as well. Have a photo of that if no one believes it.

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