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One of the greatest problems facing conservation in Britain and Ireland is the spread and establishment of introduced species. Integrated and co-ordinated species surveillance and monitoring is imperative to document the arrival, establishment, spread and impact of alien species.

The first verified record of a Reeves' muntjac deer ( Muntiacus reevesi ) in the wild in Northern Ireland was confirmed on the 3rd June 2009 as a result of a road traffic accident near Newtownards, Co. Down (J554764). Veterinary Surgeon, Peter Rafter, examined the carcass and confirmed that the injuries presented were consistent with a recent deer-vehicle collision, including broken limbs, blunt trauma and scrape marks. The animal was a young buck judged to be between 1-2 years old due to juvenile pedicle and antler growth and short developing canine tusks. Identification was further verified by providing photographs to Trevor Banham (Forestry Commission, S.E. England) and Norma Chapman (deer expert and muntjac keeper in Suffolk, England). This is the first record of a new large mammal species in Northern Ireland since the introduction of Sika deer (Cervus nippon) in 1870.

This record follows the first reports of muntjac in the Republic of Ireland during 2007 when a free-living adult buck was shot near Avoca, Co. Wicklow with a second animal sighted alive shortly thereafter near Trooperstown. Muntjac are held and bred in captivity throughout Ireland and anecdotal sightings of the species in the wild in both NI and ROI have increased in recent years.

The Government in ROI have launched an aggressive control scheme in an attempt to eradicate any establishing population(s) by placing the species on the Wildlife (Wild Mammals) (Open Seasons) Amendment Order 2008. Should the species become naturalized it represents a significant threat to biodiversity including natural habitats and species of conservation concern. Reeves' muntjac was listed as one of the ‘most unwanted’ non-native species by Invasive Species Ireland (www.invasivespeciesireland.com).

In Northern Ireland, an ‘exclusion strategy and contingency plan’ exists outlining the actions needed now that the species has been confirmed in the wild. Moreover, a recent Natural Heritage Research partnership (NHRP) report recommended a “Limited high-tech pre-emptive response” should be employed to verify any anecdotal sightings that are detected.

This short project, funded by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) aimed to investigate the veracity of the anecdotal sightings received thus far using site visits in combination with infrared night vision equipment.