The giant muntjac, known by its scientific name Muntiacus vuquangensis, has been found for the first time in Virak Chey National Park in Ratanakkiri province via surveillance cameras installed by the Ministry of Environment between March and May this year for study of rare animals.

Also referred to as large-antlered muntjac, it is one of the many other critically endangered species placed in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The species was first discovered in 1994 in Annamite mountain range bordering Vietnam and Laos and stretching as far as the Virak Chey National Park in northeastern Cambodia, according to ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra.

He said this is good news for Cambodia and the world that such a critically endangered species is present in Cambodia.

“This result of the study is of high value for environmentalists and the preservation of biodiversity. We all have to join hand to protect this rare species for its persistence in Cambodia forest,” he said.

Pin Chanratana, head of the research team for the ministry's Department of Conservation of the East Mekong River Area, said the giant muntjac is the biggest among the 12 species of Muntjac deer.