The Visayan spotted deer, also known as the Visayan deer, the Philippine spotted deer or Prince Alfred’s deer, is a small, endangered, primarily nocturnal species of deer found in the rainforests of the Visayan Islands of Panay and Negros. It once was found across other islands, such as Cebu, Guimaras, Leyte, Masbate, and Samar. It is one of three endemic deer species found in the Philippines, although it was not recognized as a separate species until 1983. An estimated 2,500 mature individuals survived worldwide in 1996, according to the IUCN; today’s surviving wild number is uncertain. The diet of the deer, which consists of a variety of different types of grasses, leaves, and buds within the forest, is the primary indicator of its habitat. Since 1991, the range of the species has severely decreased and is now almost co-extensive with that of the Visayan warty pig. 

While now fully protected under Philippine law, a mixture of logging and agricultural expansion has meant that it is currently only living in roughly 5% of its range. Presumably, its numbers are depressed to a similar degree. Continued deforestation, as well as hunting both for trophies and subsistence as well as for the pet trade. The current wild population is roughly 300, down from 1600, suggesting that it might well not survive.

It should be noted that until 2009, it was thought to be extinct, until an expedition to the North Negros Natural Park found roughly 300 living deep in the park. The population is known to be both growing and spreading.