Tähnikhirv, Cervus nippon

Tähnikhirve kodumaa on Jaapan, kuid teda leidub looduslikult ka mujal Ida-Aasias, näiteks Hiinas ja Koreas. Kuna tema suvekarv on kaunilt tähniline, siis on neid sisse veetud (algselt parkide "ehtimiseks") erinevatesse piirkondadesse terves maailmas, kus hirved on end nüüd mugavalt sisse seadnud. Euroopas (sh Eestis) peetakse teda täna ohtlikuks võõrliigiks, kuna tähnikhirv võib ristuda kohaliku punahirvega ja pakkuda talle tugevat toidukonkurentsi. Foto sai tehtud aga tähnikhirve kodumaal Jaapanis, Yunodaira sooalal.

The sika deer originates from Japan, but it also occurs naturally elsewhere in East Asia, such as in China and Korea. Because its summer coat is beautifully spotted, it was introduced to many regions around the world—originally to “decorate” parks—where the deer have now established themselves comfortably. In Europe (including Estonia) it is today considered a dangerous invasive species, as the sika deer can hybridize with the native red deer and compete strongly with it for food. The photo, however, was taken in the sika deer’s homeland of Japan, in Yunodaira marsh.