The Korean water deer, Hydropotes inermis argyropus, is a small deer species native to East Asia, primarily the Korean Peninsula and parts of China. Its unique appearance and ecological status have made it a creature of scientific interest and, in some regions, a source of human-wildlife conflict.
Defining Physical Features
The most striking characteristic of the water deer is the complete lack of antlers in both the males and females. The males develop a pair of elongated upper canine teeth, often referred to as tusks or fangs, which protrude conspicuously from the mouth. These tusks can reach an average length of 5.5 centimeters, and sometimes up to 8 centimeters, and they are used primarily as weapons during territorial disputes and fights with other males. The females do possess canine teeth, but they are significantly smaller, averaging only about 0.5 centimeters in length.
The water deer is a small animal, standing between 46 and 56 centimeters tall at the shoulder, with a total body length ranging from 76 to 102 centimeters. They generally weigh between 9 and 14 kilograms. Their coat is typically a golden-brown color, which can be interspersed with black hairs, and it is replaced in the fall by a thicker, grayish-brown winter coat. A distinct physical feature is that their powerful hind legs are longer than their front legs, causing their haunches to be carried higher than their shoulders, which contributes to their characteristic rabbit-like jumping gait when running.
Geographic Distribution and Environment
The Korean water deer subspecies is found across the Korean Peninsula, including the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), with some populations also existing in China. This species is highly adaptable, inhabiting a variety of environments from mountains to cultivated fields. Its preference, however, is for areas with dense cover and proximity to water, such as swamps, river valleys, and coastal habitats with tall reeds and rushes.
A significant refuge for the water deer population is the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates the two Koreas, a heavily restricted area that has inadvertently protected a large wildlife habitat. The Civilian Controlled Zone (CCZ), which borders the DMZ, is also a mixed lowland area where the deer thrive. While the deer are widespread across South Korea, they are notably absent from offshore islands like Jeju-do. The species’ ability to swim proficiently allows them to navigate watery landscapes and even reach remote river islands.
Conservation and Ecological Impact
The Korean water deer presents a complex conservation paradox due to its contrasting status globally and locally. Internationally, the species is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because of declining numbers in parts of its range, particularly in China where populations have faced significant habitat loss and poaching. Despite this global concern, the water deer is exceptionally common in South Korea, where the population is estimated to be around 700,000 individuals. This population surge is attributed to the relative absence of their natural large predators in the developed South Korean landscape.
The high numbers in South Korea have led to the species being widely perceived as a problem animal, or “harmful wildlife,” by local authorities and agricultural communities. Their foraging habits result in significant crop damage, leading to millions of dollars in losses for farmers annually. This conflict has prompted local governments to implement management strategies, including bounty-based culling programs, with annual capture figures ranging from 100,000 to 180,000 individuals. Their high reproductive rate contributes to the difficulty of population control.
Beyond crop damage, the deer’s habit of frequenting developed areas also results in a high rate of vehicle collisions. Tens of thousands of water deer are killed by road traffic each year, accounting for a majority of all wildlife-vehicle accidents. Ecologically, the water deer also acts as a seed dispersal vector, which can influence the structure of local plant communities. The challenge for conservationists is to balance the species’ global vulnerable status with the need to manage its overabundance and mitigate human conflict within the Korean Peninsula.