At first glance, it's hard to believe a small, cute deer-like animal can do any harm.

But the alien species Reeves's muntjac — called kyon in Japanese — is now increasing in numbers at an explosive pace on the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, causing headaches for local farmers and residents annoyed by damage to crops and plants.

Kyon, originally from Taiwan and southeastern China, were kept in a local amusement park in the city of Katsuura in the prefecture. The park closed down in 2001.