Southeast Asia's deer and wild cattle – Running out of time and space

Hooved and running out of hope - Southeast Asia's ungulate species living on the edge

September 2013. The Greater Mekong region's majestic and mysterious wild ungulates - animals with hooves - many of whom are unique to the region are on the edge of disappearing unless regional governments boost protection and intensify efforts to restore their numbers and their habitats, according to a new WWF report, Rumble in the Jungle.

The 13 ungulates of concern profiled in the report vary in species and status: from dog-sized deer to culturally significant wild cattle; from large antlered species to others so seldom seen that they have taken on mythical status. What is known, is that their futures are uncertain and for some it is already too late.

2 species extinct in 20th century

Two species endemic to the Greater Mekong region, the kouprey and Schomburgk's deer, became globally extinct in the 20th century, while the hog deer and saola are on the edge of disappearing from the region and a number of other species face a similar fate in countries they once inhabited, including Eld's deer and banteng.

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