It is the largest muntjac species and was discovered in 1994 in Vũ Quang, Hà Tĩnh Province of Vietnam and in central Laos.

During inundation of the Nakai Reservoir in Khammouane Province of Laos for the Nam Theun 2 Multi-Purpose Project, 38 giant muntjac were captured, studied, and released into the adjacent Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area.

Subsequent radio-tracking of a sample of these animals showed the relocation was successful.

[4] The giant muntjac is commonly found in evergreen forests and weighs about 66–110 lb (30–50 kg).

Due to slash-and-burn agriculture, combined with hunting, the giant muntjac is considered critically endangered.