Kerama deer explained

The Kerama deer (also Kerama Sika) is an endangered subspecies of the Sika deer native to the Kerama Islands.^[1]

History

Kerama deer were imported from the Kagoshima Prefecture in the early 17th century. They were heavily hunted because they destroyed crops, causing the population to rapidly decline, and are now a government-protected species. The total known population was 130 as of 1995.^[2] They have been designated a Natural Monument of Japan.^[3]

Description

Kerama deer have dark brown hair. Only the bucks have antlers, which are shed from March to April. They are small, weighing only about 75 kilograms.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Subspecies of sika deer. Table 1 . researchgate.net . 6 May 2019.
2. Web site: Nature in Akajima . amsl.or.jp . 4 May 2019 . 3 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192751/http://www.amsl.or.jp/eng/body40.html . dead .
3. Web site: Highlights of Keramashoto National Park . env.go.jp . 4 May 2019.
4. Web site: Kerama Deer (Natural monument) . keramaislands.asia . 4 May 2019. June 2016 .