Tiny Hoofed 'Mouse Deer', Thought Extinct, Returns After 30 Years

Mouse Deer (Image: Southern Institute of Ecology/Global Wildlife Conservation/Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research/NCNP)

In a remote Vietnamese forest, a tiny animal has returned. The silver-backed chevrotain, also called the two-tone mouse deer, was recently seen again after being lost for nearly 30 years. Its quiet return has sparked new hope among wildlife experts and conservationists.

What is the silver-backed chevrotain?

The animal is no larger than a rabbit. It has silver-grey fur, a russet head, white patches and thin legs. Though it may look like a deer, it is not one. Chevrotains are hoofed mammals and are known for being shy and hard to spot.

The species lives in forests and hides well from humans. However, hunting traps and habitat loss had pushed it to the edge. Until recently, experts feared it was extinct.

How was the lost species found again?

A team led by Global Wildlife Conservation set up cameras. They used tips from villagers and forest guards in southern Vietnam. These cameras captured more than 2,000 photos in total. In some of them, the tiny chevrotain appeared, clearly alive and moving in the wild.

This is how the #species, silver-backed chevrotain, which was not seen in last three decades was observed once again. This technology is a star. Courtesy; Global Wildlife Conservation https://t.co/xAOgwco5qq pic.twitter.com/2XDAimRBrd

— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) November 13, 2019

An Nguyen, one of the lead researchers, said he was surprised and joyful. He had not expected to find any trace of the animal. The discovery, he said, is just the beginning of efforts to protect it.

Why the rediscovery matters for conservation

The silver-backed chevrotain was last seen in the early 1990s. Its recent return shows that other species may still survive in remote forests. Experts say stopping the use of snares is key. These traps threaten not just the chevrotain, but many animals and birds found only in the Greater Annamites.

Andrew Tilker, also from Global Wildlife Conservation, highlighted the role of local people. Their help was vital in locating the right area. He said working with communities can help find other lost species.

The study was published in Nature Ecology and Evolution. Conservation teams are now planning more fieldwork to protect the chevrotain. They believe it is still under threat and needs urgent care to survive.