Stories about the Philippine deer had grown quiet over the years, with locals believing that the animal had vanished for good. Decades later, the animal once presumed to be locally extinct reemerged across several towns in Marinduque.
The sighting was confirmed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – MIMAROPA on Friday, March 20. The remarkable conservation breakthrough was done in partnership with the PENRO Marinduque and local communities.
The Philippine deer, or the Rusa marianna, was captured through motion sensors set up in the area.
“Through sustained conservation efforts—anchored on Biodiversity Monitoring System (BMS) activities, camera trap installations in Barangay Malibago, Torrijos and Barangay Makulapnit, Sta. Cruz, and strengthened Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) campaigns—the Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary (MWS) Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) has confirmed the continued presence of the Philippine deer,” the DENR stated.
Multiple sightings were recorded in 2025 across the sanctuary, with Barangay Makulapnit emerging as the deer’s key habitat. Additional signs, like footprints, were also observed in Boac and nearby areas. According to the agency, this signals a broader distribution of the species residing within the area.
Although its reemergence signals a significant discovery, the DENR – MIMAROPA said that threats to the said species persist. Several cases of deer mortality are linked to illegal hunting, poaching, and attacks by wild dogs, which were recorded in different barangays. In December 2025, a female deer in the Balagbag Range survived an attack by wild dogs, which prompted immediate response from the PAMO and its partner enforcement units.
Now, the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) is strengthening coordination with the Provincial Veterinary Office to address wildlife threats. Meanwhile, the PAMO will continue to intensify the CEPA campaigns across communities and reinforce compliance with Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
A scientific study by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) is also underway to assess the population status of the Philippine deer and provide data to guide long-term conservation and management strategies, the DENR– MIMAROPA said.
“The reappearance of the Philippine deer in Marinduque stands as both a conservation milestone and a call to action—demonstrating that while recovery is possible, sustained partnership is essential to ensure its long-term survival,” the agency continued.
