Description: The Philippine spotted deer is a small deer not much larger than some dogs, being about 80 cm (2.6') tall at the shoulder. It is found in forests, preferring areas where natural disturbances such as fires or landslides opened the forest canopy and allowed young plants to grow in the clearing. It was formerly found from sea level to the mountaintops.
Threats: Geographically restricted and extremely rare; now extinct in Cebu, Guimaras and probably Masbate. The decline of the Philippine spotted deer is due to hunting pressure as well as habitat loss due to clearing for agriculture and bad practices from legitimate logging operations.
Interesting Information: The Philippine spotted deer is one of the world's rarest mammals. The Philippine spotted deer was not recognized as a separate species until 1983. The range of the Philippine spotted deer is essentially the same as that of the endangered Visayan warty pig, which is subjected to the same threats.

Conservation Efforts/Measures:

Photograph Information: Courtesy of Lawrence Heaney