Sika Deer on Long Island

An interesting article in the Great South Bay News caught my eye, as it told of a Sika Deer population in Southaven Park. I knew that the Sika, a Japanese deer, were in captivity at the Bronx Zoo, so this was a fun discovery.

Southaven Park was the site of a hunting club known as The Suffolk Club back in 1827, formed by Daniel Webster and Martin Van Buren, among others. The land was purchased from the Carmen family. Sometime between then and when Suffolk County purchased the land in the 1960’s to establish the first Suffolk County park, the Sika were released on the property. It remains a small population that is considered “introduced” but not “invasive.”

Sika are in the elk family. They differ from our native white tailed deer in appearance. Sika are shorter (only about 2 ½ feet at the rump), they have rounded instead of pointed ears and adults may keep their spots. The males have a mane (which gives them a more elk-like appearance) – and fangs. There are larger Sika populations in Texas, Virginia and Maryland. – Annette Brownell