After 30 years of disappearance, this unique animal has reappeared, capturing the attention of the entire world.
In November 2019, major newspapers and television channels like the New York Times, CNN, and The Guardian all reported on the return of a species that had been missing from Vietnam for 30 years.
According to CNN, this unique hoofed animal is the silver-backed chevrotain (also known as the Vietnamese mouse-deer). This species was first discovered and described by scientists in 1910 when four specimens were collected around Nha Trang. After that, 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, the unique animal found only in Vietnam has reappeared. (Photo: CNN).
The Gizmodo news site reported in its news: “There is no doubt that this is extremely exciting news.” Meanwhile, The Guardian titled its piece: “The mouse-deer missing for nearly 30 years has been found alive in Vietnam.” National Geographic praised the discovery, calling the silver-backed chevrotain a “species that has been lost for an entire generation.”
An Nguyen, a biologist at the Global Wildlife Conservation organization, stated: “For a long time, the silver-backed chevrotain only existed in our imagination. But now, we have discovered that they are still alive. This is the first sign that they are not extinct. Now, we will quickly find the best ways to protect this hoofed animal.”
This animal’s reappearance has attracted the attention of many newspapers and major news outlets such as CNN, New York Times, and The Guardian. (Photo: CNN)
However, recently at the international seminar titled “Promoting the conservation of the silver-backed chevrotain and the coastal dry forest ecosystem of Vietnam,” experts both domestically and internationally warned about the risks facing the silver-backed chevrotain due to rampant wildlife hunting. The reason is that currently, the silver-backed chevrotain is not listed as a species that is critically endangered, rare, or prioritized for protection; it is categorized as data deficient (DD) in the Red List (species threatened with extinction) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
According to experts, if we wait until the population of this species becomes extremely small and scattered like other endemic mammals of Vietnam, such as the saola and the large deer, conservation efforts will be very costly.
This animal was first discovered and described by scientists in 1910 in Nha Trang. (Photo: CNN).
What kind of animal is the silver-backed chevrotain? Why does its reappearance attract such global interest?
The Smallest Hoofed Animal in the World Found in Vietnam
According to Tuổi trẻ 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 the six chevrotain species recognized worldwide. In Vietnam, there are two species: the silver-backed chevrotain (Tragulus versicolor) and the Sunda chevrotain (Tragulus kanchil). Among them, the silver-backed chevrotain is an endemic hoofed animal of Vietnam.
The silver-backed chevrotain is an endemic hoofed animal of Vietnam. (Photo: CNN).
The silver-backed chevrotain looks like a deer but is only the size of a rabbit. They lack tear glands. The entire body of the animal is covered in soft, reddish-brown fur, while the chest and underbelly have three white stripes running parallel to the body. Both male and female have no antlers. This creature has incisor teeth resembling tusks. Lacking antlers or antlers, male chevrotains use their long canine teeth to compete for territory or attract mates.
The silver-backed chevrotain is a solitary animal, living and foraging alone. It has the ability to adapt to various environments but primarily inhabits forests and agricultural land. Chevrotains forage during the day and night along trails or in areas with dense cover. They are shy creatures, quickly jumping away when they encounter predators.
The silver-backed chevrotain is an animal that looks like a deer but is only the size of a rabbit. (Photo: CNN)
The breeding and raising season occurs around June and July. Before mating, the female uses her hind legs to stomp on the ground eight times within three seconds to signal the male. This species has a gestation period of about 140 days. Each birth results in one offspring at the end of the rainy season when food is abundant.
With a height of only about 45 cm and weighing between 0.7 to 2.6 kg, this species is classified as one of the smallest hoofed animals in the world. Although not declared extinct, the silver-backed chevrotain is listed among the 25 most wanted species that need to be rediscovered by the Global Wildlife Conservation organization.
The Reappearance of a Unique Animal
Scientists from the Southern Institute of Ecology (under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), the Global Wildlife Conservation organization, and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany) have collaborated to study the area where the silver-backed chevrotain was last confirmed to be found in 1910.
The species thought to be extinct for 30 years unexpectedly reappeared in Vietnam. (Source: The Guardian)
The scientists set camera traps from November 2017 to July 2018. They established 29 cameras in the same area, and these “traps” recorded 208 visits from silver-backed chevrotains to 15 of the designated locations. These chevrotains were indeed the silver-backed chevrotains of Vietnam, as they exhibited two fur colors, and the gray hairs with white tips distinguished them from other chevrotain species.
A total of 1,881 photographs were taken. The chevrotains primarily appeared during the day. They traveled alone in 97% of their visits, with only 3% of the time having two individuals together. This made it difficult for scientists to estimate the population living in the area. This is the first time photos of the silver-backed chevrotain have been captured in Vietnam in nearly three decades. This research was published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.
Scientists set camera traps from November 2017 to July 2018 to take pictures of this animal. (Photo: CNN).
The research team will continue to install cameras to survey the silver-backed chevrotain population. However, the group of experts believes that while the discovery of the silver-backed chevrotain not being extinct is promising, we need to quickly find the best ways to protect this hoofed animal.
A Species on the Brink of Extinction
The silver-backed chevrotain is very small, making it prey for many other animals, including leopards, dogs, and pythons. But researchers indicate that human hunting activities are the main cause driving this species to the brink of extinction.
Human hunting activities are the main cause driving this species to the brink of extinction. (Photo: CNN)
According to Tuổi trẻ newspaper, recently, the Southern Institute of Ecology collaborated with the People’s Committee of Ninh Thuận Province to organize the seminar “Promoting the conservation of the silver-backed chevrotain and the coastal dry forest ecosystem of Vietnam” at the headquarters of the Nui Chua National Park Management Board (Ninh Thuận) on October 18 and 19, 2023. At the seminar, experts from both domestic and international backgrounds argued that we need to implement an immediate action plan to conserve the silver-backed chevrotain.
Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Ngo Le Tru, a specialist from the Department of Forestry – 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 ungulate species, the silver-backed chevrotain is helping plants distribute seeds, contributing to the overall health of tropical forests. (Photo: CNN)
According to information from Vnexpress, many experts have suggested including the silver-backed chevrotain in the list of prioritized species for protection, integrating 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 and raise public awareness about 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 emphasized the need for enhanced forestry activities and increased community awareness as essential sustainable measures. If the silver-backed chevrotain were to become extinct, it would be a significant loss. Like all other ungulate species, the silver-backed chevrotain is helping plants distribute seeds, contributing to the overall health of tropical forests.
