Chital, spotted, or Indian spotted deer

Habitat

• Dry and mixed deciduous forests, secondary forests and open grass-shrub, almost exclusively at less than 1000m elevation

Description

• A moderately large deer, growing between 88-97cm at the shoulders
• Females are generally smaller than the males, weighing up to 43-66kg and 66-133kg, respectively
• It has a brown coat covered with white spots on the abdomen, rump, throat, the insides of the legs, ear and underside of the tail
• A dark stripe runs down the back from nape to the tip of the tail
• Antlers are only present on males

Origin and Worldwide Distribution

• A. axis is native to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka
• Introduced as game meat on farms or controlled hunting sites, axis is now present in North America, South America, Oceania, Eastern Europe, France and Germany

Potential or Known Impacts

• A. axis tend to congregate in large groups and either remain in, or return to the same area for long periods of time
• When herd populations are large, local vegetation is trampled, leading to reduced stability in the soil, resulting in erosion, leading to changes in stream flow and increased sedimentation.
• In wet, forested areas this trampling can erode the mossy layer that normally retains water, causing increased run-off
• Prefer to graze grass but can forage a variety of plant species, removing food sources for many native species and in some cases, domestic cattle
• As with many deer species, they are known to carry and transmit bovine tuberculosis
• Carry common parasites and diseases, such as E. coli, which can be spread to humans through droppings entering freshwater systems
• As with other deer species, can cause road traffic accidents

Is it found in Northern Ireland?

• It is not currently present in Northern Ireland

How could it get here?

• Historically, the species was introduced to be farmed and for recreational hunting, which could still be  likely reasons for illegal introduction today

Management/Methods for Prevention:

• Prevention via enforcing the IAS (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (Northern Ireland) ensuring A. axis is not introduced to Northern Ireland
• Reporting any sightings so that Rapid Response can be instigated
• If Rapid Response is not successful, management can include both physical and biological control methods

Current Legislative Position (Listed on 02 August 2022)

• This species must not intentionally be brought into the Union; kept; bred; transported to, from or within the United Kingdom, unless for the transportation to facilities in the context of eradication; placed on the market; used or exchanged; permitted to reproduce, grown or cultivated; or released into the environment.

Species Related Files:

RA_Axis_axis_Chital_deer