sika

[see-kuh]

noun

1. a small, reddish deer, Cervus nippon, native to eastern Asia: most populations are endangered.

sika

/ ˈsiːkə /

noun

1. a Japanese forest-dwelling deer, Cervus nippon, having a brown coat, spotted with white in summer, and a large white patch on the rump

Word History and Origins

Origin of sika¹

1890–95; < Japanese, equivalent to si- (perhaps akin to sisi boar, game) + ka deer

Word History and Origins

Origin of sika¹

from Japanese shika

Example Sentences

The case of Nara in Japan, where the sacred sika deer have been protected for over a thousand years, illustrates the complexities of wildlife management under cultural protection.

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The other species are roe, fallow and sika.

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The other is in Taiwan, which received two pandas in 2008 in exchange of a pair of endangered sika deer.

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The expert team found that many early cases had no clear connection to Huanan market, which sold sika deer, badgers, bamboo rats, live crocodiles and other animals, according to vendor records cited in the report.

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“Hunters with a valid hunting license, or those exempt from the hunting license requirement, may use primitive bows or muzzleloaders to hunt sika and white-tailed deer during these days,” the department said in an advisory.

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