At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The south Andean huemul is a stocky deer of the southern Andes and a national symbol of Chile, appearing on its coat of arms. It is assessed as Endangered.
It is adapted to steep, cold mountain terrain.
Range & habitat
The southern Andes of Chile and Argentina.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Habitat loss and competition with livestock
- Disease
- Past hunting and a fragmented population
Why it matters
A mountain deer and national emblem reduced to scattered populations, the huemul is a flagship for conserving the southern Andes.
Sources
Sources for South Andean Huemul
- IUCN Red List — look up South Andean Huemul (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the huemul important to Chile?
It appears on Chile's national coat of arms alongside the Andean condor, making it a powerful national symbol — and a focus of conservation attention.
Why is the south Andean huemul Endangered?
Published assessments cite habitat loss and competition with livestock, disease, and the legacy of hunting, which left a small, fragmented population. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: