About the Elds Deer

The Eld’s deer is a rare, endangered species native to South and Southeast Asia, easily recognized by its unusually shaped antlers and preference for dry, open forests. Also widely known as the thamin or brow-antlered deer, this unique ungulate faces severe threats in the wild but remains a major focus of international conservation efforts.

Eld’s deer boast several distinct physical and behavioral traits, most notably their incredible antlers, which can grow up to 40 inches long. Unlike most deer, the lower beam of the male’s antlers curves backward and then sweeps forward, taking on a shape reminiscent of a musical lyre. Because of this unique curvature, the lowest points appear to grow right from the eyebrows, earning them the name “brow-antlered deer”. Males are generally larger than females, often reaching weights up to 385 lbs.  Their coats are rough and coarse, transitioning from reddish-brown in the summer to dark brown in the winter months.

These deer primarily inhabit dry, open deciduous forests, lowland valleys, and marshy environments. Depending on the specific geographic region, the species is split into three recognized subspecies: the Manipuri brow-antlered deer in India, the Burmese thamin, and the Siamese Eld’s deer. They are typically active during the evening and night, resting in the shade during the hot daytime hours to ruminate and digest their herbivorous meals. Their diet consists of various wild grasses, herbaceous plants, and fallen fruits; however, they frequently venture into nearby farmlands to graze on cultivated crops like rice, lentils, and maize, which often brings them into conflict with local farmers.