Muntiacus vuquangensis
giant muntjac

Giant muntjacs were first recorded in 1994 in the Vu Quang Nature Reserve located in the Ha Tinh Province of north central Vietnam. They are primarily found in the Annamite Mountains on the border of Vietnam and Laos, although the species has also been found in the Mondulkiri province of Cambodia, and in Annam, as far south as the Dalat Plateau. Along the mountains, antlers of giant muntjacs have been found in villages as far north as the Chat River and as far south as the village of Dakchung, although the true extent of its range is still unknown. (Bauer, 1997; Massicot, 2003; Schaller and Vrba, 1996; Timmins et al., 1998)

The mountains where giant muntjacs are found are fairly rugged with a varying landscape of hills, plateaus, and valleys on the westward side. Their main habitat is old-growth broad-leaved evergreen forests with an understory of bamboo, palms, and tree saplings. These animals have also been seen in wet evergreen forests, dry evergreen forests, and mixed secondary forests of pine and evergreen. Altitudes for these habitats range from 500 to 1200 m. Local peoples say Muntiacus vuquangensis is scarcer in degraded habitats and can be moderately common, rare, or absent depending on the forests condition. (Massicot, 2003; Schaller and Vrba, 1996; Timmins et al., 1998)

Giant muntjacs range in weight from 30 to 50 kg, with males typically being larger than females. The fur is agouti brown and becomes darker toward the back. The limbs are dark brown to blackish. The fur on the belly, the inside of the legs, the anal area, and the underside of the tail is white. Male fur has been noted to become darker in December and January as antler growth stops and velvet dries. The tail of giant muntjacs is relatively short and triangle-shaped. Males have large canine teeth that project from the upper jaw. (Massicot, 2003; Schaller and Vrba, 1996; Timmins et al., 1998)

Antlers in males are larger than those of any other muntjac. They grow up and backward, with forking that creates a brow tine. Measured antlers had bean lengths of 17.0 to 28.5 cm and the brow tines were up to 9.8 cm long. The pedicels are very prominent and extend along the face as ridges. (Massicot, 2003; Schaller and Vrba, 1996; Timmins et al., 1998)

Although the general dimensions of giant muntjacs are not unique, there are four features that separate these animals as a species: short/stout pedicels, size and conformation of antlers, skull characteristics (length and shape of nasals), and a triangular tail. (Massicot, 2003; Schaller and Vrba, 1996; Timmins et al., 1998)

No studies have been conducted on longevity in the giant muntjac, although the much smaller Reeve's muntjac is known to live up to and past 17 years. (Anonymous, 1998)

Giant muntjacs are solitary animals and are wary of humans as a result of heavy hunting pressure in its range. They are also known to hybridize with the red muntjac. (Massicot, 2003; Schaller and Vrba, 1996)

Muntjacs are also known as barking deer. The current state of knowledge is that the barking is a means by which these animals identify themselves year round. (Nowak, 1999)

Although information is lacking for Muntiacus vuquangensis, males other species of muntjac are thought to be aggressive toward one another. Both diurnal and nocturnal behavior has been documented. (Nowak, 1999)

Home Range

The home range size for M. vuquangensis is not known. However, in feral M. reevesi populations in England, the approximately 20 ha home ranges of males of M. reevesi overlap with the smaller (12 ha) home ranges of females. This distribution might have reproductive significance. (Nowak, 1999)

All muntjacs are known as barking deer because they make a noise very similar to a dog's bark when they sense danger. This bark may be used in identification of individuals. Other means of communication have not been documented in this species, although, as mammals, it is likely that they use visual signals, tactile information (especially between mothers and their young, as well as mates), and olfactory cues. Other members of the genus are known to use scent marks to define territories. (Massicot, 2003; Nowak, 1999)

No studies have been done on this aspect of the giant muntjac, yet the principal vegetation it is found in is broad-leaved evergreen forests with an understory of bamboo, palms, and tree saplings. The diets of other muntjacs include grasses, shoots, and low growing leaves that are still tender. (Nowak, 1999; Schaller and Vrba, 1996)

Local people living in its range hunt the giant muntjac for its meat. An adult female was observed being attacked by an Asian dhole (Cuon alpinus) when local hunters killed it. (Schaller and Vrba, 1996; Timmins et al., 1998)

No documentation of the ecosystem roles of this species exists. However, as primary consumers, it is likely that they affect plant growth, and perhaps, as prey species, they affect population growth for predators.

No negative impacts could be found.

The meat of giant muntjacs is a food source for local villagers and there is a market for wider distribution of meat in cities and towns. (Timmins et al., 1998)

In 1994, giant muntjacs were protected under Appendix I in CITES. Although they have not yet been accessed by IUCN, it is believed that the species belongs on the Red List. Laos and Vietnam have taken steps to help protect the area's biodiversity by creating several National Biodiversity Conservation Areas in and near the Annamite Mountains. In addition, the Nakai-Nam Theun Natioanl Biodiversity Conservation Area in Laos may be a core area for giant muntjac populations. This area is contiguous with the Vu Quang Nature Reserve in Vietnam. (Schaller and Vrba, 1996; Timmins et al., 1998)

The conservation of giant muntjacs has been impeded by a newly formed government conservation strategy and a shortage of funding and trained workers. They are also threatened by hunting in conservation areas by locals and the popularity of slash and burn farming. (Schaller and Vrba, 1996; Timmins et al., 1998)

The genus Megamuntiacus was given to giant muntjacs prematurely. Recent mtDNA analysis shows that the level of divergence between the giant muntjac and other muntjacs are at the same level as other Muntiacus species and in other genera of cervids. (Schaller and Vrba, 1996; Wang and Lan, 2000)