The Status of Nepal's Mammals: The National Red List Series - IUCN

• Habitat loss and degradation due to human
encroachment, clearing for agriculture and
livestock grazing.
Conservation Measures in Place
None.
References
Barratte 1977, Mishra 1982a, Chapman 1993, Oli and Jacobson 1995, Pei et al. 1995, Suwal and Verheught
1995, Chapman et al. 1997, Chen et al. 2001, Ernst 2003, Baral and Shah 2008,
Nepal Red List of Mammals National Workshop 2010.
17) Rusa unicolor (Kerr, 1792)
Common Names
Sambar (English); Jarayo (Nepali)
Synonyms
Cervus unicolor (Kerr, 1792)
Species Description
Nepal’s largest deer. Shaggy dark brown coat and
large spreading antlers.
Species Ecology
The Sambar is generally found in dense Sal and
riverine forests of the lowlands and in subtropical
forests of higher elevations. Sambar are both grazers
and browsers, feeding on grasses, fruits, leaves.
In Nepal, peak mating activity of Sambar is October
to November and peak calving during June to
July. Age at first reproduction is approximately 23
months with a gestation period of eight months
after which a single calf is born.
Conservation Status
Global: Vulnerable A2cd+3cd+4cd
National: Vulnerable B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii)
Rationale for assessment: Sambar (Rusa unicolor)
has been assessed as Vulnerable under criterion B
as the species occurs in only four locations
(possibly five depending on further confirmation of
observations in Kathmandu), with the total area
of these locations amounting to less than 20,000
km 2 . Within this, the actual area of occupancy is
thought to be less than 2,000 km 2 . Both area and
Conservation Recommendations
i) Improve habitat management through controlled
burning of grasslands and control of the principal
invasive plants (Mikania micrantha, Lantana camera,
Chromolaena odorata).
ii) Enhance law enforcement outside protected areas
through local community participation and
engagement.
habitat quality are considered to be in decline due
to human encroachment into areas of suitable
habitat and the associated disturbances such as
conversion of land into agriculture and competition
and overgrazing of livestock. The current population
of Sambar is small and considered to be in decline,
with an estimated 1,200 mature individuals spread
across the sub-populations. Since Sambar are not
restricted to protected areas, the likelihood of being
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