Deer, known as chital, are native to forests in countries such as India, Nepal and Pakistan (Photo: Personal Archive)
An axis deer, known as chital and native to Asian forests, was spotted running down a road in Seara, west of Santa Catarina. The video shows the animal running at high speed in front of the home of resident Bárbara Alice, who recorded it and described the situation as something “inexplicable.” (see below).
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Watch the video of exotic deer in SC
The registration took place on September 8th in the São Daniel district. As of Thursday morning (14), city firefighters had not received any calls regarding deer rescues.
— I was doing my housework as usual and in the meantime my dogs started barking more than usual. I went outside to see what was going on and when a deer came by it only lasted a few seconds. — reports the resident in conversation with g1 SC.
According to the Seara City Hall, it is suspected that the animal came from a forest region, as there are no zoos or parks with animals in the municipality.
Exotic species and native to Asia
According to biologist Jackson Preuss, the species is exotic and does not occur naturally in the region, living in forests in countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Pakistan.
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Nevertheless, deer numbers in urban areas, particularly in the western region, have increased in recent years.
— I believe that these animals appeared in Brazil through accidental escape: they were bred in captivity and eventually escaped. But a possible migration cannot be ruled out, as has already happened in Rio Grande do Sul [cervos] immigrated there from Uruguay and Argentina — commented g1 SC.
These large mammals, whose males weigh up to 110 kilos and measure one meter and ten centimeters at the withers, may have crossed the border by both land and water, as they are excellent swimmers. The species is herbivorous and has no predators in Santa Catarina.
In 2022, a deer was also spotted on a property in Içara, south of Santa Catarina (Photo: Bruno Neka dal Pont/Personal Archive)
What does it mean for an animal to be exotic?
In contrast to wild animals, Preuss explains this exotic species are those that do not occur naturally in a particular location.
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— This animal was introduced for some reason, accidental or intentional, but does not naturally use this location. It didn’t evolve there, it didn’t evolve there, nor does it use space for reproduction or passage — says the expert.
And what are wild animals?
In his opinion, wild animals occur naturally in a certain habitat. They may occupy the site permanently or use it for reproduction and passage.
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— For example, a migratory bird that uses a certain location during a certain period of time is already considered a wild species, even if it reproduces in a different location, and so on. —Additions.
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