Chinese Water Deer

[camo]

As they are very localised I thought wembers might be interested in these Chinese Water Deer. When you see them up close there is no mistaking there tusks and in some places in Bedfordshire they outnumber Muntjac. Last time I watched them I found a carcase of a dead deer and I took the head which is currently maturing, when it is clean i will post a picture as members will be amazed at the size of tusks. they look like something off of a Sabre Tooth Tiger.

Roy



And some droppings for those interested.

[salukiwhippet]

Lovely pics. I've never seen a CWD in the flesh, so to speak. Funny looking things aren't they. Is their range growing much where you are?

James

[camo]

Originally Posted by salukiwhippet

Lovely pics. I've never seen a CWD in the flesh, so to speak. Funny looking things aren't they. Is their range growing much where you are?

James

hi James

Most of the county is full of Muntjac but there are pockets of CWD particularly around Woburn. There is a particular spot close to Woburn that is very god for watching CWD and if anyone wants a location they should PM me. Woburn owned by the Duke Of Bedford is where a number of imported species are thought to have escaped from (allegedly!). There are also a good head of them to the east in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk but i do not know if they also came form Woburn or were an intentional introduction. They are funny as they have the tusks and round ears unlike any other deer. I understand in their homland they are very rare and Britain now has more CWD than does China.

Roy

[Hedge Witch]

Fantastic images Roy!

I didn't know there were so many in that area, Roy, but they are increasing (did I read 2 % a year?), like all deer seem to be.

Looking forward to seeing the skull when it's finished.

[Hobjob]

I've seen them up on the Norfolk Broads - though actually in suffolk on the Marshes at Carlton.

Never (knowingly) seen further south in the Red Deer country around Minsmere where I live.

[The Woodman]

Good images Roy, especially the first. I've never seen one in the wild. Heard that the tusks can make a mess of a dog that dares take one on.

Your pics shows one out in the open, do they graze in the open more than muntjac who like thicker cover?

[chriscml]

What brilliant pictures.

Does anyone know why they have those tusks? They look like they would just get in the way if they eat the same type of foods as the rest of the deer population. I cant imagine they use them for the rut either. Then again i expect i shall be proved wrong!

[Gill Catton]

I have seen a few of these in the countryside around Leighton Buzzard. I found them quite unnerving the way the stop and stare at you!!
I knew what it was though straight away, they're unmistakable, all those years leafing through field guides worked out well!!

[camo]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Good images Roy, especially the first. I've never seen one in the wild. Heard that the tusks can make a mess of a dog that dares take one on.

Your pics shows one out in the open, do they graze in the open more than muntjac who like thicker cover?

Hi Woodman

When I have watched them in Norfolk they appear in the open late in afternoon but in the particular area I have photographed they seem to stay in the crops right through the day. The last day I went to see them I saw about 12 in two hours of which 5 were in one field. They seem content to watch you whilst you are in the open but when you start to stalk them tehy are very jittery. The first photograph shows one close to both a road and Woburn and was very brave until I got out the car. I have not heard of any dog attacks but I believe they use the tusks in male on male fights.

Hi Hedgie

The tusks are like daggers and I will make a point of cleaning the skull this weekend, when I have had a good look at it I will pass it onto Bedfordshire Natural History Society.

Roy

[thunder]

Yes, the tusks are used in fights - I've seen several males with torn ears. A friend once saw one kill a spaniel during a round up - the spaniel wasn't chasing the deer, just standing in the way.

henrya