It is the only deer known to be native to Africa, aside from Megaceroides algericus, which went extinct approximately 6,000 years ago.

[3] One population can be found in Tazekka National Park in the Middle Atlas Mountains.

[4] Other notable herds are known from the areas of Akfadou, Bouzeguène, and Zéralda, Algeria,[5] as well as Taza Province, Morocco.

This strongly argues for an ancient introduction of red deer from North Africa to these Mediterranean islands by humans.

Further analysis suggests that the Barbary stag, including the Corsican red deer, belongs to a separate species, and should be grouped under the name Cervus corsicanus.