The sambar is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent, South China and Southeast Asia that is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List since 2008. Populations have declined substantially due to severe hunting, local insurgency, and industrial exploitation of habitat. The name “sambar” is also sometimes used to refer to the Philippine deer called the “Philippine sambar”, and the Javan rusa called the “Sunda sambar”. Its closest relative is the Javan Rusa, and these are close enough that when they breed they produce fertile hybrids.

There are currently 7 subspecies recognized, though this is not particularly surprising, given the large range, and the number of obstacles that mean populations cannot meet and breed.

• Sri Lankan sambar (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka)
• Bornean sambar (Borneo)
• Mainland Southeast Asian sambar (Mainland Southeast Asia)
• South China sambar (Southern and southwestern China)
• Malayan sambar (Sumatra)
• Hainan sambar (China, Hainan)
• Formosan sambar (Taiwan)

There is also an extinct subspecies called the Bonin Sambar which came from the Bonin islands, Japan.