Classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List, the sambar deer can still be found in various parts of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States. In Thailand, sambar populations are relatively abundant in ASEAN Heritage Parks such as Khao Yai National Park and Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary-Nam Nao National Park. Their populations in these two areas are concentrated around grass and scrub areas instead of the forest itself.