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How camera traps found a lost tiny deer

The silver-backed chevrotain explains why camera traps can turn local reports into confirmed survival records.

On this page

  • Why the species was considered lost
  • How local interviews guided cameras
  • What the photos proved and did not prove
Preview for How camera traps found a lost tiny deer

Introduction

The silver-backed chevrotain (Tragulus versicolor) is one of the clearest modern examples of how a seemingly “lost” animal can move from rumour and scattered local reports back into documented zoological reality. Known only from a handful of specimens collected in Vietnam and lacking scientific confirmation since 1990, the tiny deer-like mammal spent nearly three decades in an uncertain category: not officially extinct, but effectively absent from modern field records. That changed in 2019 when researchers used local knowledge and carefully placed camera traps to obtain the first photographs of the species alive in the wild. The rediscovery became a landmark case in conservation biology because it demonstrated how hidden mammals can persist undetected in pressured landscapes, while also showing that extraordinary claims require verifiable evidence.[Nature]nature.comCamera-trap evidence that the silver-backed chevrotain…by A Nguyen · 2019 · Cited by 41 — Here, we provide evidence that the sil…Chevrotain illustration 1

Why the species was considered lost

The silver-backed chevrotain is a small, shy forest ungulate often called a mouse-deer, although it is neither a mouse nor a true deer. Scientific knowledge of the species was remarkably thin for most of its history. It was first described in the early twentieth century from a small number of specimens collected in southern Vietnam. After that, records were extremely sparse. A further specimen obtained in 1990 provided the last confirmed scientific evidence of the animal’s existence for decades.[Discover Wildlife]discoverwildlife.comDiscover Wildlife'Lost' mouse-deer rediscovered in VietnamDiscover WildlifeNov 12, 2019 — A fifth specimen was collected in 1990 from central Vietnam. Silver-back chevrotain photographed by a cam…

The lack of records did not necessarily mean extinction. Several factors made the species difficult to detect:<div class="content-enhancement content-enhancement--insight-grid" markdown="1">

  • It is small and secretive.
  • It inhabits dense tropical forest.
  • It is easily overlooked during conventional wildlife surveys.

Mouse deer spotted in Vietnam for first time in 30 years

Channel: Guardian News

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How local interviews guided cameras

The rediscovery did not begin with technology. It began with people who lived and worked in the region.

Researchers interviewed local villagers, hunters and forest rangers across several areas of southern Vietnam. Rather than asking broad questions about unusual animals, the team focused on reports of a distinctive grey or silver-coloured chevrotain that could be distinguished from the more common lesser chevrotain known in the region. These interviews helped narrow the search to specific forest blocks where recent sightings were considered plausible. Re:wild+2Research Communities by Springer Nature[rewild.org]rewild.orgRe:wildFOUND: Miniature Fanged 'Deer' Rediscovered Tiptoeing…Nov 11, 2019 — First-ever photos and footage of silver-backed Chevrotain…

This step is important because it illustrates a recurring pattern in rare-mammal rediscoveries. Local ecological knowledge often persists long after scientific monitoring has faded. People who spend years in forests may continue encountering species that have effectively disappeared from the scientific literature. The interviews did not constitute proof, but they provided a practical map for where researchers should deploy scarce survey resources.[The Scientist]the-scientist.comWritten by Emily Makowski.Read moreThe ScientistImage of the Day: Chevrotain Caught on Camera | The ScientistThe silver-backed chevrotain was undetected for decades, but lo…

Armed with these leads, the team installed camera traps in the most promising locations. Initial cameras operated for several months and produced photographs of the target species. Encouraged by those results, researchers expanded the survey effort with additional cameras, generating a much larger photographic record.[Re:wild]rewild.orgRe:wildFOUND: Miniature Fanged 'Deer' Rediscovered Tiptoeing…Nov 11, 2019 — First-ever photos and footage of silver-backed Chevrotain…

How camera traps found a lost tiny deer

Camera traps are motion-activated cameras that photograph animals without requiring researchers to be physically present. They are especially useful for elusive species that avoid humans or occur at low densities.

For the silver-backed chevrotain, camera traps solved several problems simultaneously. They could operate continuously, capture nocturnal activity, and document animals moving through dense vegetation where direct observation would be unlikely. The photographs obtained during the survey provided the first images ever taken of the species alive in its natural habitat.[Nature]nature.comCamera-trap evidence that the silver-backed chevrotain…by A Nguyen · 2019 · Cited by 41 — Here, we provide evidence that the sil…

The success of the project highlights an implementation lesson that extends beyond this single case. Researchers did not scatter cameras randomly across vast landscapes. Instead, they combined:Chevrotain illustration 2<div class="content-enhancement content-enhancement--step-flow" markdown="1">

  1. Historical records.
  2. Interviews with local people.[communities.springernature.com]communities.springernature.comsearch for the silver backed chevrotainResearch Communities by Springer NatureSearch for the silver-backed chevrotain11 Nov 2019 — Interviews with local people and camera-trap…
  3. Habitat knowledge.
  4. Targeted camera placement.</div>

The result was a dramatic increase in detection probability for an animal that had effectively vanished from scientific observation.[Research Communities by Springer Nature+2ResearchGate]communities.springernature.comsearch for the silver backed chevrotainResearch Communities by Springer NatureSearch for the silver-backed chevrotain11 Nov 2019 — Interviews with local people and camera-trap…

What the photos proved and did not prove

What they proved

This rare species was just spotted in Vietnam for the first time in 30 years | Your Morning

Channel: CTV Your Morning

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What they did not prove

The photographs did not establish that the species was secure.

Researchers could not determine from the initial images alone:

  • The total population size.
  • Whether multiple healthy populations existed.
  • The full geographic range of the species.
  • Long-term population trends.
  • The degree of genetic diversity remaining.[Nature]nature.comCamera-trap evidence that the silver-backed chevrotain…by A Nguyen · 2019 · Cited by 41 — Here, we provide evidence that the sil…

In other words, rediscovery answered the question “Does it still survive?” but left many conservation questions unresolved. The species moved from “possibly lost” to “confirmed extant,” not from “lost” to “safe.”[Nature+2Mongabay News]nature.comCamera-trap evidence that the silver-backed chevrotain…by A Nguyen · 2019 · Cited by 41 — Here, we provide evidence that the sil…Chevrotain illustration 3

Why this case matters in cryptozoology

Rare Deer-Like Animal Rediscovered After 15 Years

Channel: CBS Boston

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        See on Amazon</a></div></div></article><article class="fr-book-card"><a class="fr-book-cover" href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Camera+Traps+in+Animal+Ecology+by+Allan+F.+O%27Connell&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Open Camera Traps in Animal Ecology on Amazon"><span class="fr-book-cover-fallback">Book</span><img class="fr-book-cover-thumb" src="https://books.google.com/books/content?id=onO2967GdPwC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;img=1&amp;zoom=1&amp;edge=curl&amp;source=gbs_api" alt="Cover for Camera Traps in Animal Ecology" loading="lazy" decoding="async" fetchpriority="low" referrerpolicy="no-referrer" onerror="this.hidden=true;this.closest('.fr-book-cover').classList.add('fr-book-cover-placeholder');"></a><div class="fr-book-info"><h4 class="fr-book-title"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Camera+Traps+in+Animal+Ecology+by+Allan+F.+O%27Connell&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer" title="Camera Traps in Animal Ecology">Camera Traps in Animal Ecology</a></h4><p class="fr-book-author">By Allan F. O&#x27;Connell, James D. Nichols et al.</p><p class="fr-book-desc">Directly explains the methods used to document elusive mammals.</p><div class="fr-book-actions"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Camera+Traps+in+Animal+Ecology+by+Allan+F.+O%27Connell&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" class="fr-amazon-btn" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer">
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Endnotes

1. Source: nature.com
Link:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Camera-trap evidence that the silver-backed chevrotain…by A Nguyen · 2019 · Cited by 41 — Here, we provide evidence that the sil…</p>

2. Source: nature.com
Link:https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-03467-7

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Elusive deer-like animal 'rediscovered' in Vietnam11 Nov 2019 — Elusive deer-like animal 'rediscovered' in Vietnam. Camera traps ha…</p>

3. Source: time.com
Title: Mouse-Like Deer Just Photographed After It Vanished for 25 Years
Link:https://time.com/5725042/mouse-deer-explained/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Here's What You Need to KnowResearchers have rediscovered the rare silver-backed chevrotain in Vietnam after nearly 30 years. Also known…</p>

4. Source: researchgate.net
Link:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337175896_Camera-trap_evidence_that_the_silver-backed_chevrotain_Tragulus_versicolor_remains_in_the_wild_in_Vietnam

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>December 2019; Nature Ecology & Evolution 3(4):1-5.Read more…</p>
Published: December 2019

5. Source: the-scientist.com
Title: Written by Emily Makowski.Read more
Link:https://www.the-scientist.com/image-of-the-day–chevrotain-caught-on-camera-66702

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>The ScientistImage of the Day: Chevrotain Caught on Camera | The ScientistThe silver-backed chevrotain was undetected for decades, but lo…</p>

6. Source: news.mongabay.com
Link:https://news.mongabay.com/2019/11/rabbit-sized-deer-like-species-of-fanged-ungulate-rediscovered-in-vietnam/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Mongabay NewsRabbit-sized, deer-like species of fanged ungulate…Nov 18, 2019 — A camera trap captures the silver flanks of the redisco…</p>

7. Source: discoverwildlife.com
Title: Discover Wildlife’Lost’ mouse-deer rediscovered in Vietnam
Link:https://www.discoverwildlife.com/news/silver-backed-chevrotain-mouse-deer-vietnam

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Discover WildlifeNov 12, 2019 — A fifth specimen was collected in 1990 from central Vietnam. Silver-back chevrotain photographed by a cam…</p>

8. Source: popularmechanics.com
Title: silver back chevrotain
Link:https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/animals/a29752629/silver-back-chevrotain/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Missing for 30 Years, a Rare Deer Species Is…11 Nov 2019 — In research reported today in Nature Ecology & Evolution, the borderline-ap…</p>

9. Source: rewild.org
Title: silver backed chevrotain
Link:https://www.rewild.org/lost-species/silver-backed-chevrotain

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Re:wildSilver Backed ChevrotainScientists published the rediscovery in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution in November of 2019. Re:wil…</p>

10. Source: rewild.org
Link:https://www.rewild.org/press/found-chevrotain-miniature-fanged-deer-rediscovered-tiptoeing-through-vietnams-coastal-forests

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Re:wildFOUND: Miniature Fanged 'Deer' Rediscovered Tiptoeing…Nov 11, 2019 — First-ever photos and footage of silver-backed Chevrotain…</p>

11. Source: communities.springernature.com
Title: search for the silver backed chevrotain
Link:https://communities.springernature.com/posts/search-for-the-silver-backed-chevrotain

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Research Communities by Springer NatureSearch for the silver-backed chevrotain11 Nov 2019 — Interviews with local people and camera-trap…</p>

12. Source: sciencenews.org
Title: Nature Ecology and Evolution
Link:https://www.sciencenews.org/article/silver-backed-chevrotains-have-been-rediscovered-science-after-29-years

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Silver-backed chevrotains have been 'rediscovered' after…Nov 11, 2019 — Camera-trap evidence that the silver-backed chevrotain Tragulu…</p>

13. Source: novataxa.blogspot.com
Title: tragulus versicolor
Link:https://novataxa.blogspot.com/2019/11/tragulus-versicolor.html

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>[Mammalogy • 2019] Camera-trap Evidence that the Silver-…Nov 12, 2019 — The silver-backed chevrotain Tragulus versicolor, a diminutive…</p>

Additional References

14. Source: academia.edu
Link:https://www.academia.edu/150279263/Thought_Extinct_For_30_Years_The_Tiny_Mouse_Deer_With_Silver_Flanks_Is_Now_A_Viral_Wildlife_Star

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>(PDF) Thought Extinct For 30 Years, The Tiny 'Mouse Deer…21 Sept 2025 — The rediscovery of the silver-backed chevrotain (Tragulus vers…</p>

15. Source: iflscience.com
Link:https://www.iflscience.com/lost-vietnamese-mousedeer-photographed-in-the-wild-for-the-first-time-in-30-years-54186

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>"Lost" Vietnamese Mouse-Deer Photographed In The Wild…11 Nov 2019 — The last official documentation of a silver-backed chevrotain was…</p>

16. Source: en.vietnamplus.vn
Link:https://en.vietnamplus.vn/worlds-smallest-ungulates-spotted-in-vietnam-after-nearly-30-years-post163537.vnp

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>vietnamplus.vnWorld's smallest ungulates spotted in Vietnam after nearly…Nov 11, 2019 — The silver-backed chevrotain or mouse deer tha…</p>

17. Source: facebook.com
Title: the rare silver backed chevrotain or vietnamese mouse deer has been seen again i
Link:https://www.facebook.com/vietnamtodayinternational/posts/the-rare-silver-backed-chevrotain-or-vietnamese-mouse-deer-has-been-seen-again-i/431584431111029/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>The rare silver-backed chevrotain or Vietnamese mouseOnce thought extinct, this tiny hoofed mammal was caught on camera traps in 2019, pr…</p>

18. Source: cambridge.org
Link:https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/distribution-and-conservation-status-of-the-silverbacked-chevrotain-tragulus-versicolor-in-vietnam/F629C7566502D04181097F53B07540D9

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>d distribution, as well as its vulnerability to unsustainable hunting pressure…Read more…</p>

19. Source: abc.net.au
Title: silver backed chevrotain extinct mouse deer found
Link:https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2019-11-12/silver-backed-chevrotain-extinct-mouse-deer-found/11692098

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Silver-backed chevrotain, or mouse-deer, thought extinct…11 Nov 2019 — Researchers working in lowland forest near Nha Trang in south…</p>

20. Source: ultimateungulate.com
Title: Silver-backed chevrotain (Tragulus versicolor)
Link:https://www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Tragulus_versicolorReferences.html

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Camera-trap evidence that the silver-backed chevrotain Tragulus versicolor remains in the wild in Vietnam. Nature Ecology & Evolution.Rea…</p>

21. Source: abcnews.com
Link:https://abcnews.com/International/silver-backed-chevrotain-wild-25-years-ago-rediscovered/story?id=66947664

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>the Vietnamese mouse-deer, after it was "lost to science" since 1990…</p>

22. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/maximbady/posts/posted-by-fam-networks-camera-traps-in-vietnam-recorded-the-silver-backed-chevro/1536564724504303/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>e Vietnamese mouse-deer, has been rediscovered in Vietnam!Read more…</p>

23. Source: fv-berlin.de
Title: rediscovery of the silver backed chevrotain
Link:https://www.fv-berlin.de/en/research/research-highlight/rediscovery-of-the-silver-backed-chevrotain

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Rediscovery of the silver-backed chevrotainJan 1, 2020 — Photos and footage of the silver-backed chevrotain – a deer-like species that is…</p>

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