Ozotoceros bezoarticus
The Pampas deer was once very common throughout Argentina but now is confined to three small populations including one in Corrientes. These are small to medium sized deer which are very quick and somewhat like Springboks. They like the open grassy areas of the Pampas and are being threatened by the increasing advance of forestry plantations for which the Argentine government gives grants. They have been driven into a small area under the electric lines which bring power to Buenos Aires from the north and there are no more than about 1000 animals left.
Their range is from Central Brazil, SE Bolivia, Paraguay and NE Argentina. There are 3 sub-species but the Argentine species is the most endangered. They are classed as Near Threatened in the IUCN redlist but critically endangered in Argentina.
Pampas deer have tan fur above with lighter fur on their underside and inside of legs. They have a short tail which is often raised up similar to the White tailed deer. Males can weigh up to 40 kg with females a few kg less. Natural predators are the Jaguar, which is now extant from this area, and the Puma, as well as humans. The Pampas deer is protected in Argentina. CLT are working with this species to help protect it and have succcessfully augmented the population in their private island ‘San Alonso’.
They are known as Venado de Pampa in Argentina
