Deer is an important mammalian fauna
of Bangladesh. It plays an important role in
maintaining the forest ecosystem. Blanford,
in 1888, recorded five species of deer in this
region. These were the Barking Deer
{Mjintiaciis inuntjak Zimmermann), the
Spotted Deer {Axis axis Erxleben), the Hog
Deer {Axis porcinus Zimmermann), the Swamp
Deer {Ccrvns diivanceli Cuvier) and the
Sambar {Cervas unicolor Kerr). However,
updating of this old record was necessary
because during this period wanton deforestation
and indiscriminate huntings had taken place
resulting in ecological changes and
disappearance of quite a few animal species.
A reconnaissance survey of the wildlife of
Bangladesh was, therefore, carried out between
April and December, 1978 ; and special
attention was given to ascertain the present
position of deer.