2-2-2024 (SINGAPORE) In a remarkable incident, a woman in Singapore managed to capture a video of a sambar deer galloping up close. The short footage shows a majestic sambar stag running along a road in Singapore. The incident took place near a forested area, although the exact location remains undisclosed by the woman, Samantha Dorai, to prevent any interference with the wildlife.
Dorai shared the video on Facebook, claiming that the sambar stag was being chased by construction workers. However, she did not provide the footage for verification. In the video, the stag can be seen trotting at a rapid pace along the road. Dorai can be heard off-screen urging others to stay still, fearing that any sudden movements might startle the deer. After briefly glancing back, the deer swiftly disappears into the forested area, seeking refuge amidst the darkness and foliage.
According to Dorai, who frequently visits the area to feed stray dogs, the sambar deer are a regular presence. She estimates that there are two herds, each consisting of approximately four to five deer. While she had observed them from afar on previous occasions, this was her first up-close encounter with one of these majestic creatures. Dorai estimated the size of the particular stag in the video to be similar to that of a pony.
Sambar deer, native to Singapore, are primarily active during the early morning or night hours. These shy animals were believed to be extinct in the 1940s due to poaching and habitat loss. However, in the 1970s, a small population resurfaced in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It is speculated that these deer are descendants of those that escaped from the Singapore Zoo, as indicated by the Singapore Biodiversity Records in 2014. Sambar deer have occasionally been spotted venturing into urban areas, including roads and expressways.
