Sambar (Asia)

Scientific Name: Cervus unicolor

Subspecies: 8 subspecies have been described, 7 of which occur in the Indo-pacific region: 1. Cervus u. unicolor: Sri Lanka. 2. Cervus u. niger: India and Bangladesh. 3. Cervus u. cambojensis: Southern China, Myanmar, Laos, Kampuchea, Vietnam and Thailand. 4. Cervus u. equinus: Malaysia, Sumatra, central part of southern China (Sichuan, Hubei and Hunan). 5. Cervus u. swinhoei: Taiwan. 6. Cervus u. brookei: Borneo. 7. Cervus u. boninsensis: The Bonin Islands. Introduced into Victoria and Gippsland (niger and unicolor) in Australia in 1912 and into New Zealand in 1875.

Habitat: Open woodland and grassy plains.

Description: Very large deer weighing up to 350 kg and measuring up to 1.50 m over the shoulder. It may reach a total body length of 2,50 m without tail (20 cm). General colour dark brown. The antlers are large and heavy with a maximum of 6 points.

Hunting method: Stalking or driven hunt. Hunting available in mainly in the areas of introduction.