“Wapiti” is a native North American name for this animal, while “Maral” is the Farsi name for the Mideastern red deer (a term also used in Russia and Mongolia to describe wapiti).

Location

• Native Range: native to Eastern Asia and North America. They do not occur naturally or indigenously anywhere in Europe.
• European Presence: found primarily within specific hunting reserves in the Moscow region of European Russia.
• Habitat Conditions: in these regions, the animals are entirely free-ranging within the boundaries of managed, natural hunting reserves.

Description

• Classification: while specific descriptions are categorized under Asian species, the animals present in European Russia are believed to be Altai wapiti, Manchurian wapiti, or a hybrid mixture of the two subspecies.
• Subspecies Context: they are physically distinct from native European red deer, possessing the characteristic larger body mass and antler structure typical of Siberian and East Asian wapiti lineages.

Remarks

• Introduction History: these herds were originally imported from Siberia and established during the Soviet era. The reserves were specifically designed to provide high-quality hunting under natural conditions, alongside comfortable accommodations, for government officials and high-profile foreign visitors.
• Hunting Status: although located on managed reserves, these wapiti are classified as free-ranging game and can be legally hunted via official government-issued permits.