Rusa deer, which are native to Indonesia, were mistakenly introduced to New Zealand in 1907, under the impression that they were sambar deer. Eight were liberated near Rotorua, and by the 1990s rusa occupied 565 square kilometres in the area. In other countries rusa deer can be very vocal. In New Zealand they are generally silent – probably to avoid being detected by hunters.
Using this item
Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Reference:
Carolyn M. King, ed., Handbook of New Zealand mammals. Melbourne, Auckland: Oxford University Press, 2005, plate 13
Artwork by Priscilla Barrett
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