Rusa
(Species Information only - For Destinations, make your selection from the list on the left)
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Rusa deer (Cervus Timorensis) are native to South-East Asia. The species is widespread in the Indonesian archipelago and it has been introduced into south-east Kalimantan, New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand. Two subspecies are found in Australia: Javan rusa (C. timorensis russa), established in Royal National Park outside Sydney and Moluccan rusa (C. timorensis moluccensis), found on the islands of Torres Strait in the early 20th century.
Although rusa deer is not a declared animal under Queensland legislation, its control is recommended.
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Cervus timorensis
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Impacts
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- can damage agricultural crops and gardens in outer urban areas
- hazardous on suburban roads and highways
- large numbers of deer also pose a threat to the environment
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Description
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- rusa are a medium-sized
- Javan rusa stags may stand 110 cm at the shoulder and weigh about 120 kg
- hinds are up to 95 cm at the shoulder and weigh up to 80 kg
- Moluccan rusa are slightly smaller
- has a coat that varies from greyish to yellowish or reddish brown, with darker brown on the hindquarters and thighs
- body hair is coarse and more sparse than other deer
- new calves have a rich red coat
- stags develop a mane during winter
- antlers of rusa are typically three tined with the beams forming a characteristic lyre shape
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Habitat, distribution and life cycle
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- form herds, have no definite breeding season but a tendency for breeding from June to October, however individual hinds may cycle earlier or later
- rutting may take place at any time and hinds may produce three calves in two years
- less tendency to fight during the rut, instead rusa stags ´plough´ vegetation and amass large bundles of greenery on their antlers which they use to establish dominance over other males
- adult hinds generally give birth to a single calf after a gestation of about 252 days
- rusa are tropical or subtropical species
- prefers habitat being grassy plains bordered by dense brush or woodlands to which they can retire during daylight hours
- are preferential grazers of grass, but also browse depending on season and availability of food
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Source: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_8276_ENA_HTML.htm
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