Muntjac Deer
(Muntiacus reevesi)

Muntjac Thermal Drone Survey

The Muntjac deer, also known as Reeves’s Muntjac, is a small, non-native deer species first introduced to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in the early 20th century. Originally from southeast Asia, it quickly escaped captivity and has since spread extensively across England, now being a common presence in woodlands, parklands, and even urban gardens. While Muntjac are increasingly present in Wales, they have not yet established in Scotland.

The Muntjac deer is a small, stocky species, roughly the size of a springer spaniel, standing about 40–50 cm at the shoulder with a rounded back and short legs. Its coat is gingery-brown in summer, turning darker and greyer during winter, with a pale underside.

Muntjac are among the most difficult deer to survey due to their secretive nature and preference for dense cover. BHWC has detected them in nearly every habitat type, and in the absence of effective control, population densities can become extreme - with recorded levels exceeding 140 individuals per km² in ideal habitat conditions.

Our thermal drone surveys and ground-based methods are specifically tailored to detect these elusive deer, providing accurate population data crucial for informing land management and control strategies.