What protection level does the muntjac have? Understanding its protection status in one article

The muntjac is an animal of the family Cervidae and a fur-bearing animal with high economic value. It likes to eat fresh twigs and tender leaves at forest edges, grassy slopes or in open woodlands. Because of its small numbers, it has been listed by the state as a protected animal. So what protection level does the muntjac have?

1. What protection level does the muntjac have?

The black muntjac is a national first-class key protected wild animal in China, the wild Reeve's muntjac is a national third-class protected animal, and the red muntjac is included in the "List of Terrestrial Wild Animals under State Protection That Are Beneficial or Have Important Economic or Scientific Research Value." Hunting, trading or eating any muntjac is strictly prohibited, especially the black muntjac, for which selling is an illegal act.

2. Where are muntjacs distributed?

There are three species of muntjac distributed in the country: the black muntjac, the red muntjac and the Reeve's muntjac. The black muntjac is found only at the border areas of Zhejiang, Anhui and Fujian provinces. The red muntjac is distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and other places in China. The Reeve's muntjac is distributed in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Taiwan, China and other places.

Overall, the muntjac is a state-protected animal, but because there are many species, there are both first-class and second-class ones. For example, the black muntjac is a national first-class key protected wild animal in China, and the wild Reeve's muntjac is a national third-class protected animal.