Chinese Water Deer Hydropotes inermis (1)
The non native Chinese Water Deer is in decline in its Asian homeland but thought to be increasing in the UK thus being of conservation significance. About 10% of its wild population is now found in England concentrated in the Norfolk Broads, Cambridgeshire Fens and Bedfordshire.
Spotted first some distance away at Welney, as the day drew to a close this member of a group of three came closer and closer and could be seen grazing in the beautiful evening sunlight of an exceptionally warm last day of February.
Smaller than a Roe Deer but bigger than a Muntjac this species have no antlers but the upper canines of the male are greatly elongated to form tusks visible in this shot ( females also have modified upper canine teeth.)
Thank you all for your kind responses.
Chinese Water Deer Hydropotes inermis (1)
The non native Chinese Water Deer is in decline in its Asian homeland but thought to be increasing in the UK thus being of conservation significance. About 10% of its wild population is now found in England concentrated in the Norfolk Broads, Cambridgeshire Fens and Bedfordshire.
Spotted first some distance away at Welney, as the day drew to a close this member of a group of three came closer and closer and could be seen grazing in the beautiful evening sunlight of an exceptionally warm last day of February.
Smaller than a Roe Deer but bigger than a Muntjac this species have no antlers but the upper canines of the male are greatly elongated to form tusks visible in this shot ( females also have modified upper canine teeth.)
Thank you all for your kind responses.