rusa

Rusa is the common name for several deer species in Southeast Asia, used in Indonesian and Malay to refer to members of the genus Rusa. In English-language wildlife literature, “rusa deer” most often refers to the Javan rusa (Rusa timorensis) and the sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), though taxonomic treatments vary. The Javan rusa is native to the Indonesian archipelago and is one of the more widely managed deer in the region; it has been introduced to other areas for farming and meat production. The sambar deer, one of the largest deer in Asia, is native to forests of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia and is sometimes placed in the genus Rusa as Rusa unicolor; many authorities classify it as Cervus unicolor.

Rusa occupy a range of habitats from tropical forests to grasslands and agricultural land. They are herbivorous, feeding on grasses, leaves, shoots, and fruit. They are generally social, forming matriarchal herds of females with males roaming alone or in bachelor groups outside the breeding season. Breeding seasons vary by region; fawns are born after a gestation of about six to eight months.

Conservation status varies by species and region: habitat loss and overhunting have reduced populations in some areas, while feral or farmed populations persist in others. In some countries rusa deer are raised commercially for meat and antler products, and are kept in wildlife reserves and zoos.

Name and taxonomy: The term rusa comes from Malay and Indonesian for deer. The genus Rusa has included several deer species; modern classifications often place the sambar within Cervus or Rusa depending on the authority.