エゾシカ - Wildlife of Japan

Ezo sika deer with the Shiretoko mountain range in the background

The Notsuke Peninsula in the winter has many charms.
One of them was an encounter with the Ezo sika deer, Cervus nippon yesoensis. In the winter, the heavy snowfall causes the deer to face food shortages. The flat Notsuke Peninsula, which juts out into the Nemuro Strait, is well-ventilated with relatively little snowfall, making it a great feeding ground for the Ezo sika deer. Therefore, in winter, you can encounter hundreds of Ezo sika deer all at once.

The Notsuke Peninsula is also designated as a wildlife sanctuary, so the Ezo sika deer are not weary of people, therefore close range photography is possible.

In addition, you can see the Shiretoko mountain range and Kunashir Island from the Notsuke Peninsula in good weather. If the visibility is good, you can also see the Akan volcanic complex and Mt. Kamui (also Mt. Mashu). The sun rises behind Kunashir in the morning and then sets on the frozen icy side in the evening, making it an attractive location for photography throughout the day.

View of Kunashir Island (the Northern Territories) in the background

This is located only an hour (one-way) from Shiretoko, Rausu, so it is possible to visit on a day trip, perhaps after an early morning drift ice cruise.

Photo & text: Shohei MORITA (Shiretoko Serai)

*Contact us, Saiyu Travel for more information about wildlife and bird watching in Hokkaido. We can make various arrangements for your trip. We have a guesthouse, Shiretoko Serai, in Rausu, Shiretoko Peninsula.

Tags: Shohei Morita Photography, Ezo-shika-deer, Notsuke Peninsula, Hokkaido deer, Sika deer, Widlife in Japan, 知床サライ, Shohei Morita, Shiretoko Serai, Wildlife of Hokkaido, Wildlife in Hokkaido, Wildlife of Japan, エゾシカ, Wildlife Photography tour in Japan, Wildlife tour in Japan

In 2021, during the winter season, one of the trending topics in Eastern Hokkaido was the Notsuke Peninsula’s “Entangled Antlers” Ezo-Sika Deer. There was a male deer that, as they normally do, must have battled an opponent during the rutting season. However, the antlers got entwined in a way that one unlucky deer could not free itself and died. This resulted in the head of the loser being carried around like a trophy by the surviving deer.

Of course, this is the story we think has happened, but no one can really know. This is the kind of event that makes you feel what a ‘Wild Life’ these animals lead.

Hokkaido Sika Deer with dead deer head （絡み角のエゾシカ・野付半島）｜西遊旅行

We observed it for two days, and it seemed the deer had a hard time raising its head compared to the other deer. Perhaps it was too heavy? Also during that time, it didn’t move around that much, possibly due to the poor visibility.

The deer’s antlers will fall in the spring. If this stag can wait a little longer, it will be free soon. It should be able to enjoy the spring with its newfound freedom, perhaps two deer’s worth!

Video & Text: Mariko SAWADA

Observation: Feb 2021, Notsuke Peninsula, Hokkaido, Sika Deer

*Youtube : Wildlife of Japan

Tags: Wildlife Photography in Japan, Wildlife in Japan, Wildlife of Hokkaido, 知床サライ, Wildlife of Japan, Shiretoko Serai, Wildlife tour in Japan, Wildlife in Hokkaido, エゾシカ, Hokkaido Sika Deer, Ezo Sika Deer, Notsuke Peninsula, Hokkaido photography tour

Tag: エゾシカ

Ezo Sika Deer of the Notsuke Peninsula in Winter

A Hokkaido Sika Deer Carrying the Head of Another Deer (Entangled Antlers) in Notsuke Peninsula