Northern Pudu
VU

Northern Pudu

Pudu mephistophiles

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_pudu

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Northern Pudu faces severe pressure from habitat fragmentation as Andean cloud forests are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching. Hunting for subsistence and the illegal pet trade compounds population declines, while their small body size and specialized habitat requirements make them particularly vulnerable to environmental changes. Climate change threatens to shift their narrow altitudinal range upward, potentially eliminating suitable habitat on mountain peaks.

Threat summary

Habitat

Northern Pudus inhabit dense Andean cloud forests and páramo grasslands at elevations between 2,000-4,000 meters across Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru. They prefer areas with thick understory vegetation that provides cover from predators and access to their preferred browse of leaves, shoots, and fruits.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Northern Pudu classified as Vulnerable?
Northern Pudu is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Northern Pudu faces severe pressure from habitat fragmentation as Andean cloud forests are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching. Hunting for subsistence and the illegal pet trade compounds population declines, while their small body size and specialized habitat requirements make them particularly vulnerable to environmental changes. Climate change threatens to shift their narrow altitudinal range upward, potentially eliminating suitable habitat on mountain peaks.
Where does Northern Pudu live?
Northern Pudu occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Northern Pudu?
The main threats to Northern Pudu are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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