See the beautiful extinct 'divine beast' in Vietnam
Sika deer (Cervus nippon) are beautiful animals, notable for their white-spotted fur. In Vietnam, they were raised in captivity, but are extinct in the wild.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•25/06/2025
1. Has white spotted fur. The most recognizable feature of the sika deer is its reddish-brown fur with white spots spread evenly across its back and sides, helping them camouflage effectively in sparse forests. Photo: Pinterest. 2. Males have branched antlers that regrow every year. Male sika deer grow large antlers in early spring and shed them in late winter. The antlers can be up to 70 cm long and are an important weapon in mating battles. Photo: Pinterest.
3. Communicate with seasonal calls. During the rut season, male deer make long, loud calls to attract females and warn off rivals, while female deer make shorter calls to call their calves. Photo: Pinterest. 4. They are gentle herbivores with high adaptability. The deer's food consists mainly of grass, young leaves, tree shoots, and sometimes mushrooms and tree bark, helping them adapt well to many types of forests from deciduous to evergreen. Photo: Pinterest.
5. Good at swimming and climbing steep hills. Sika deer are agile animals, not only running fast but also swimming well and climbing steep hills – skills that help them escape predators in the wild. Photo: Pinterest. 6. A sacred symbol in Japanese culture. In Nara city, Japan, sika deer are considered messengers of the Shinto gods and are strictly protected, many individuals live freely and boldly in the heart of the city. Photo: Pinterest. 7. Some subspecies are critically endangered. Although some populations remain widespread, many native sika deer subspecies are threatened by deforestation and illegal hunting, especially in Southeast Asia. Photo: Pinterest.
8. Raised for velvet antlers and genetic conservation. In Vietnam and China, sika deer are raised semi-wild for velvet antlers – the nutrient-rich young antlers – and to help preserve this rare species. Photo: Pinterest.
Dear readers, please watch the video : When wild animals cry for help | VTV24.
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