ArticlePDF Available

News: International workshop for Eld's deer conservation in Phnom Penh, 2018

Authors:
Jonathan Eames
Jonathan Eames
Jonathan Eames
  • This person is not on ResearchGate, or hasn't claimed this research yet.
Bosco P. L. Chan at WWF-Hong Kong
Bosco P. L. Chan
  • WWF-Hong Kong
Michelle Hang Gi Wong at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
Michelle Hang Gi Wong
Download full-text PDF
Read full-text
Download citation
Content uploaded by Michelle Hang Gi Wong
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Michelle Hang Gi Wong on Apr 11, 2019
Content may be subject to copyright.
© Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Phnom Penh
News
News
---Placeholder-- International workshop for
Eld’s deer conservation in
Phnom Penh, 2018
Eld’s deer Rucervus eldii is a globally Endangered species
in need of immediate conservation action across its
range to prevent extinction of its geographically distinct
subspecies. Conservationists from Cambodia, China,
India, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand met in November
for a workshop hosted by Kadoorie Farm and Botanic
Garden and BirdLife International Cambodia Programme
in Phnom Penh. The objectives of the event were to
share expertise and lessons learned, to develop regional
conservation strategies for the species and to maintain
genetic diversity of populations through translocation
or exchange. The meeting also hoped to raise promote
momentum and support for Eld’s deer conservation.
The meeting comprised two days of indoor sessions
and a half-day visit to Phnom Tamao Zoo and Wildlife
Rescue Centre. The agenda included status reviews for
each of the range countries and case studies regarding
in-situ conservation, captive management, genetic
studies and ecology. Roundtable panel discussions with
leading practitioners and group and plenary discussions
on specifi c conservation strategies were also held.
Eld’s deer was once widely distributed across lowland
dry forests in tropical Southeast Asia. Of the three subspe-
cies currently recognized, R. e. eldii has been reduced to a
single site in India. Numbers of R. e. thamin in Myanmar
and Thailand comprise perhaps 3,000 individuals centred
on two protected areas in Myanmar. Thailand has rein-
troduced this subspecies. Small, sca ered populations of
R. e. siamensis occur in protected areas in Cambodia and
Laos which are vulnerable to hunting and habitat loss.
Re-introduction of the siamensis subspecies is underway
in Thailand. Recent research indicates that the semi-wild
population in Hainan (China) is genetically distinct and
warrants appropriate conservation eff orts.
Delegates at the meeting collectively expressed a
desire to form an Eld’s deer working group under the
IUCN Deer Specialist Group and agreed to identify
national country coordinators to facilitate eff ective
communication and international collaborations.
Jonathan C. EAMES (BirdLife International Cambodia
Programme), Bosco CHAN and Michelle WONG (Kadoorie
Farm and Botanic Garden, Hong Kong). Email: Jonathan.
Eames@birdlife.org, boscokf@k g.org, michellewong@k g.org
... Three subspecies are traditionally recognised, R. e. eldii, R. e. thamin and R. e. siamensis (Gray et al., 2015), although individuals from Hainan Island (China) are now considered to be a fourth subspecies, R. e. hainanus (Wong et al., 2021) and are recognized as such in this study. Rucervus e. siamensis has been extirpated from Vietnam and Thailand, although a reintroduction programme has begun in the la er (Wong et al., 2018). Wild populations remain in Laos and Cambodia and Cambodia is considered to be the last stronghold for the subspecies despite su ering a 90% population reduction in the early 2000's (Gray et al., 2015). ...
... Since wild populations face a risk of genetic erosion, captive populations may provide fresh genetic lineages that can contribute to genetic recovery (Theodorou & Couvet, 2004;Hedrick & Fredrickson, 2008). E orts are underway to breed and reintroduce Eld's deer subspecies in their native ranges, including eldii in India (Singh & Dookia, 2017), siamensis and thamin in Thailand (Wong et al., 2018) and hainanus in China (Wong et al., 2021). As suitable natural habitats still remain in Cambodia, similar actions for siamensis have been recommended in the country (Gray et al., 2015;Ladd et al., 2022). ...
View
... Three subspecies are traditionally recognised, R. e. eldii, R. e. thamin and R. e. siamensis (Gray et al., 2015), although individuals from Hainan Island (China) are now considered to be a fourth subspecies, R. e. hainanus (Wong et al., 2021) and are recognized as such in this study. Rucervus e. siamensis has been extirpated from Vietnam and Thailand, although a reintroduction programme has begun in the la er (Wong et al., 2018). Wild populations remain in Laos and Cambodia and Cambodia is considered to be the last stronghold for the subspecies despite su ering a 90% population reduction in the early 2000's (Gray et al., 2015). ...
... Since wild populations face a risk of genetic erosion, captive populations may provide fresh genetic lineages that can contribute to genetic recovery (Theodorou & Couvet, 2004;Hedrick & Fredrickson, 2008). E orts are underway to breed and reintroduce Eld's deer subspecies in their native ranges, including eldii in India (Singh & Dookia, 2017), siamensis and thamin in Thailand (Wong et al., 2018) and hainanus in China (Wong et al., 2021). As suitable natural habitats still remain in Cambodia, similar actions for siamensis have been recommended in the country (Gray et al., 2015;Ladd et al., 2022). ...
Genetic diversity of Eld’s deer Rucervus eldii siamensis populations captive-bred at Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, Takeo, Cambodia
Article
  • Jul 2023
Captive-breeding is a commonly proposed conservation strategy for species whose populations have become too small to be genetically viable in the wild, such as the Endangered Eld’s deer subspecies Rucervus eldii siamensis. These programmes require extensive management and maintenance of high genetic diversity within the captive population. The Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre and surrounding forests in Takeo, Cambodia, are home to a captive and a released breeding population of Eld’s deer that are descended from two founders con􀄙 scated from the illegal wildlife trade in 2001. As the captive population grew, it was separated into two herds which remained isolated until small groups were released in 2018. We assessed the level of inbreeding and genetic diversity of the population (27 animals) by re-sequencing genome wide variants using blood samples from eight captive individuals. A low level of genetic diversity was found in the animals. The average heterozygosity rate and nucleotide diversity (􀎔) were 5.538 × 10-6 ± 1.854 × 10-6 and 5.475 × 10-5, respectively. The mean inbreeding coe􀄜 cient (FROH) was 0.026 ± 0.060, and most individuals were in second degree kinship. Demographic records from January 2009 to April 2022 for the captive population revealed average neonatal mortality was 26.85%, which suggests the population does not currently su􀄛 er striking hazards from inbreeding. Our results suggest that the captive and released semi-wild herds at the centre may be a suitable source population for future reintroductions, although they would bene􀄙 t from the addition of new individuals to protect against genetic erosion.
View
... The deer were radio-collared for post-release monitoring and cooperation was also established with the community to protect the Eld's deer. There are also 35 captive deer kept in 3 zoos (Chan 2018). (Allen et al. 2017;Singh and Chaturvedi 2018). ...
Review: The status of the endangered Eld’s deer (Rucervus eldii) and conservation actions in Thailand
Article
Full-text available
  • Oct 2022
Sukmasuang R, Bhumpakphan N, McShea WJ, Wajjwalku W, Siriaroonrat B, Kamolnoranart S, Yindee M, Nipanan T, Maleehuan B, Khanthathongsakuldee K, Pongcharoen C, Sutummawong N, Thomas W. 2022. Review: The status of the endangered Eld’s deer (Rucervus eldii) and conservation actions in Thailand. Biodiversitas 23: 5020-5034. The endangered Eld’s deer (Rucervus eldii) once roamed throughout the plains and dry forests of South and Southeast Asia. However, due to heavy poaching and habitat loss, the population has declined drastically and has disappeared from many of its historical ranges. They are presently found in some natural areas of India, Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Hainan Island, China. Thailand used to be the distribution center of the species, where two subspecies, the R.e. thamin and R.e. siamensis, were found. However, both subspecies have disappeared from the natural resources of Thailand since the early 1990s. Many conservation programs have been conducted to save this species in Thailand, such as captive breeding and reintroduction. Our literature review revealed that currently, more than a thousand R.e. thamin are housed in over 20 wildlife breeding facilities and 109 R.e. siamensis in 8 breeding facilities. Based on the workshops on conservation and restoration of the species, suitable genetic selection can create populations suitable for return to protected forest areas in Thailand. At present, more than 554 R.e. thamin have been released back into the wild in 8 wildlife sanctuaries, 3 national parks and 1 non-hunting area and 27 R.e. siamensis were released in 2 wildlife sanctuaries in Thailand. The follow-up of the deer in the release areas was flawed. Major knowledge gaps include recent trends in the population dynamics, habitat selection, diet items and threats. Identifying and restoring suitable dry forest habitats for reintroduction are also keys for species conservation.
View
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.