| Citation |
Widmann, P. & Lastica, E. 2015. Axis calamianensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T2446A22156678. Downloaded on 24 October 2019. |
Description |
RANGE DESCRIPTION
This species is endemic to the Philippines, where it is restricted to the Calamian Islands in the Palawan faunal region. The species occurs on three of the four larger islands in Calamians, i.e. Busuanga, Calauit and Culion, but is absent from Coron (Oliver 1993, Oliver and Villamor 1993, Heaney et al. 1998, Grubb 2005). The species is also reported to have occurred on at least nine other smaller islands, including three islands where small numbers of individuals translocated from Calauit were released in the late 1980s (Oliver and Villamor 1993). However, it was reported to be extinct on at least seven (78%) of these islands (Bacbac, Capari, Panlaitan, Galoc, Apo, Alava and Dicabaito), and to survive on only two of these islands, namely Marily and Dimaquiat (Rico and Oliver 2008). It is not known from anywhere else in the region, including mainland Palawan, nor the larger and intervening of island of Linacapan.
DESCRIPTION
The species was reputedly common in all suitable localities throughout the main islands of Busuanga and Culion in the 1940s, but to have drastically declined in numbers on all parts of these islands, except in the extreme south of Culion, by the mid-1970s (Grimwood 1976). A small population of deer surviving on Calauit Island at that time was supplemented by a further 30 translocated individuals in 1977 (J. Gapuz pers. comm.), following the creation of the Calauit Island Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in 1976, and the eviction and resettlement of the islands former residents (Oliver 1993, Oliver and Villamor 1993). By April 1994, Calauit was reported to hold an estimated population of 1,123 ± 236 individuals (Orig and Rosell 1994); though more recent estimates indicate significant reductions in the numbers of these animals numbers following resettlement of the island by former residents and resurgence of hunting pressure. A survey in 2006 (Rico and Oliver 2008) showed the species still to be widespread on Calauit, Busuanga and Culion, though densities remain low in many areas (W. Oliver pers. comm.). It was also found still to be present on the islands of Marily and Dimaquiat. In 2010 a field survey conducted on Busuanga (18 days), Culion (15 days) and Coron (2 days) did not record the species from any of the six surveyed sites, but secondary information indicates presence in at least four sites (Paguntalan et al. 2010).
HABITAT AND ECOLOGY
The species occurs in grasslands, open woodlands and second-growth forest (Hoogstraal 1951). It has a gestation length of approximately 180 days, with typically one young, and rarely twins. Age at sexual maturity is 8-12 months, with a life span of 12-20 years. This species is diurnal, browses on leaves, and lives in small herds (Wemmer 1998). This species has a group size up to 27 individuals, but usually 7–14 (with much smaller groups reported in heavily hunted areas; Oliver and Villamor1992).
THREATS
The species is threatened due to hunting pressure and human settlement and agricultural expansion over its very limited range, coupled by the evident lack of effective and sustained enforcement of the strong local protective legislation (W. Oliver pers. comm. and unpubl.). Hunting was particularly severe during the mid-1970s (Grimwood 1976), but seemingly declined in most areas during the 1980s and 1990s, except on Calauit where hunting pressure increased dramatically following the resettlement of the island by former residents under the auspices of the ‘Balik (Back to) Calauit Movement’. In 1986, 51 out of the 256 families evicted from the island ten years earlier had re-settled on the island, and by 1992 the settlers numbered nearly 500 people (Oliver 1993, W. Oliver pers. comm.). Much of the hunting of the species is recreational, and also to provide venison to the local markets (W. Oliver pers. comm.). More recently, pressure on the habitat has increased (and presumably hunting pressure also), due to resettlements of victims of typhoon Haiyan, and squatting of outsiders in Busuanga (P. Widmann pers. comm. 2014). On Calauit, introduced African ungulate populations are increasing but are probably not competing with Calamian Deer (Calauit was originally stocked with giraffe, zebra, impala, waterbuck, gazelle, eland, topi and bushbuck acquired from Kenya). A presidential proclamation that precluded removal or control of exotic species, and the movement or management of Calamian Deer on Calauit Island was recently amended, thereby also potentially enabling the better future control of the exotic ungulate populations, though in fact many of these populations have also been seriously reduced by poaching. While relatively large parts of Busuanga and Culion Islands are still undeveloped and sparsely inhabited, there are no proper reserves on either.
USE AND TRADE
This species is hunted for food by local people, who also use hides for drums and antlers for decoration.
CONSERVATION ACTIONS
Calamian Deer occurs in the Calauit Island Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary (37.4 km2), which was established in 1976 to protect a collection of free-ranging African ungulates (see under Threats). Protection is inadequate and there are no management plans (Oliver 1993). Several hundred local people were evicted at that time it was established, but many of these have since returned to settle illegally (Oliver and Villamor 1993). Thirty animals were introduced to Calauit in 1977 to supplement a small relict population (Orig and Rosell 1994).
The following conservation actions are recommended:
Monitor current status on all the three islands and determine population trends. Evaluate levels of hunting and habitat loss.
Strengthen existing protected area system via establishment of new (additional) reserves and development and implementation of properly structured conservation management plan for Calauit that includes improved infrastructure, and measures to combat poaching.
Agree and establish a zoning system within Calauit in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, which enforces strict protection of the core area.
Establish protected areas on Culion and Busuanga, based on habitat and deer status surveys.
Undertake behavioural and ecological research of Calauit Deer to determine management requirements. Conduct more detailed studies in selected areas.
Initiate a conservation education program using Calamian Deer as a flagship species to promote a wide variety of related conservation activities, including combating the bushmeat trade.
The species is now thought to have gone extinct on the main island of Palawan relatively recently (Piper et al. 2008). It is suspected that loss of habitat due to sea level rise and transformation of grass- and open woodlands into closed forests are the main reasons for the extinction of the species on Palawan. Due to human activities many of these semi-open habitats now exist again in the former range on Palawan. Reintroduction to the main island of Palawan may therefore be one tool to reduce the extinction risk of the very localized and declining populations in the Calamian group of islands.
This species is listed on CITES Appendix I. |
