After 30 years of disappearance, this unique animal has re-emerged and garnered worldwide attention.
In November 2019, major news outlets such as the New York Times, CNN, and The Guardian reported on the return of a species that is found only in Vietnam after three decades of absence.
According to CNN, this unique ungulate is known as the silver-backed chevrotain (also referred to as the Vietnamese mouse-deer). This species was first identified and described by scientists in 1910 when four specimens were collected around Nha Trang. Subsequently, there were no scientific records of its existence until 1990, when the carcass of a silver-backed chevrotain was obtained from a hunter in central Vietnam.
After 30 years of disappearance, this unique animal found only in Vietnam has re-emerged. (Image: CNN).
The Gizmodo news site reported in its bulletin: “Without a doubt, this is tremendously exciting news.” Meanwhile, The Guardian titled its piece: “The mouse-deer, missing for nearly 30 years, is found alive in Vietnam.” National Geographic praised the discovery, calling the silver-backed chevrotain a “species that has vanished for an entire generation.”
An Nguyen, a biologist working at Global Wildlife Conservation, stated: “For a long time, the silver-backed chevrotain existed only in our imaginations. But now, we have discovered that they are still alive. This is the first sign that they are not extinct. We will now quickly find the best ways to protect this unique ungulate.”
This animal’s reappearance has attracted the attention of various newspapers and major news sites like CNN, New York Times, and The Guardian. (Image: CNN)
However, recently at the international workshop “Promoting Conservation Efforts for the Silver-Backed Chevrotain and Coastal Dry Forest Ecosystems in Vietnam”, experts from both domestic and international backgrounds warned about the risks facing the silver-backed chevrotain due to poaching. The reason is that currently, the silver-backed chevrotain does not belong to the list of endangered or threatened species prioritized for protection, and it is classified as Data Deficient (DD) in the Red List by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Experts argue that waiting until the population of the species becomes extremely small and scattered, like other endemic species of Vietnam such as the saola and giant muntjac, will make conservation efforts very costly.
This species was first identified and described by scientists in 1910 in Nha Trang. (Image: CNN).
What exactly is the silver-backed chevrotain? Why has its reappearance sparked such global interest?
The World’s Smallest Ungulate Found in Vietnam
According to Tuoi Tre newspaper, the silver-backed chevrotain, also known as the Vietnamese chevrotain or Vietnamese mouse-deer (scientific name: Tragulus versicolor), is a species of even-toed ungulate in the chevrotain family. The silver-backed chevrotain is one of six recognized chevrotain species worldwide. In Vietnam, there are two species: the silver-backed chevrotain (Tragulus versicolor) and the lesser chevrotain (Tragulus kanchil). Among these, the silver-backed chevrotain is an endemic ungulate species of Vietnam.
The silver-backed chevrotain is an endemic ungulate species of Vietnam. (Image: CNN).
The silver-backed chevrotain resembles a deer but is only the size of a rabbit. They do not have tear glands. The entire body is covered with smooth, red-brown fur, while the chest and underbelly have three parallel white stripes. Both males and females lack antlers. This creature has incisor teeth that resemble tusks. Without antlers or antlers, male chevrotains use their long canine teeth to compete for territory or attract mates.
The silver-backed chevrotain is a solitary and foraging animal. It can adapt to various environments but primarily resides in forests and farmland. Chevrotains forage during the day and night along trails or in densely covered areas. They are shy creatures and quickly jump away when encountering threats.
The silver-backed chevrotain resembles a deer but is only the size of a rabbit. (Image: CNN)
The mating season and pairing for raising young occur around June and July. Before mating, females tap their hind legs on the ground eight times within three seconds to signal males. This species has a gestation period of about 140 days, giving birth to one offspring at the end of the rainy season when food is abundant.
With a body height of only about 45 cm and weighing between 0.7-2.6 kg, this species is classified as one of the smallest ungulates in the world. Although not declared extinct, the silver-backed chevrotain is listed among the 25 lost animals that need to be rediscovered by Global Wildlife Conservation.
The Remarkable Reappearance of a Unique Species
Scientists from the Southern Institute of Ecology (under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), Global Wildlife Conservation, and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany) collaborated on research in the area where the silver-backed chevrotain was confirmed to have been found in 1910.
The species thought to be extinct for 30 years suddenly reappears in Vietnam. (Source: The Guardian)
The researchers set camera traps from November 2017 to July 2018. They established 29 different cameras in the same area, and these camera traps recorded 208 visits by silver-backed chevrotains across 15 of the designated locations. These chevrotains were indeed the silver-backed chevrotains of Vietnam, identifiable by their two fur colors and gray hairs with white tips, which distinguish them from other chevrotain species.
A total of 1,881 photos were captured. The chevrotains primarily appeared during the day, with 97% of their visits occurring alone, and only 3% of the time did two individuals visit simultaneously. This makes it difficult for scientists to estimate the number of individuals living in the area. This was the first time photos of the silver-backed chevrotain were taken in Vietnam in nearly three decades. The study was published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.
Scientists set camera traps from November 2017 to July 2018 to capture images of this species. (Image: CNN).
The research team will continue to install cameras to survey the silver-backed chevrotain population. However, the experts indicate that while the discovery of the silver-backed chevrotain not being extinct is encouraging, we must quickly find the best ways to protect this ungulate species.
A Species on the Brink of Extinction
The silver-backed chevrotain is small enough to be preyed upon by various predators, including leopards, dogs, and pythons. However, researchers point out that human hunting activities are the primary cause pushing this species to the brink of extinction.
Human hunting activities are the primary cause pushing this species to the brink of extinction. (Image: CNN)
According to Tuoi Tre, recently, the Southern Institute of Ecology collaborated with the Ninh Thuan Provincial People’s Committee to organize a workshop titled “Promoting Conservation Efforts for the Silver-Backed Chevrotain and Coastal Dry Forest Ecosystems in Vietnam” at the headquarters of the Nui Chua National Park Management Board (Ninh Thuan) on October 18 and 19, 2023. During the workshop, experts from both domestic and international backgrounds emphasized the need to implement an immediate action plan to conserve the silver-backed chevrotain.
Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Ngo Le Tru, an expert from the Forestry Department – Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated: “Expanding cooperation, sharing information, and experiences between different countries, conservation organizations, and local and international research institutes is crucial to identifying appropriate actions that facilitate the effective use of financial and human resources.”
Like all other hoofed mammals, silver-backed chevrotains are helping plants distribute seeds, contributing to the overall health of tropical forests. (Photo: CNN)
According to information from Vnexpress, many experts have suggested listing the silver-backed chevrotain as a priority species for protection, combining nature-based tourism to create livelihoods and income for local communities. Conservationists have also proposed that the management board of Núi Chúa National Park closely monitor forest access, raising public awareness about the importance of protecting biodiversity and wildlife…
Researchers from the Southern Institute of Ecology (under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), Global Wildlife Conservation, and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany) have proposed that managers need to enhance forestry activities and raise community awareness as a necessary and sustainable measure. If the silver-backed chevrotain becomes extinct, it would be a significant loss. Like all other hoofed mammals, silver-backed chevrotains are helping plants distribute seeds, contributing to the overall health of tropical forests.
