Hangul Deer

Prelims Bits – Environment  – Species

Context:

Recent research by scientists at CSIR-Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) highlights that human disturbances during mating and birthing seasons are significantly increasing stress levels in Hangul deer, negatively impacting their reproduction.

About Hangul Deer (Kashmir Stag)

What is the Hangul Deer?

• A subspecies of the Central Asian red deer (Cervus hanglu hanglu), endemic to Kashmir and northern Himachal Pradesh.
• It is the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir and the only surviving Asiatic subspecies of the Red Deer family.

Habitat & Protected Areas

Natural Habitat:

• Found in dense riverine forests, valleys, and mountainous regions of Jammu & Kashmir and northern Himachal Pradesh.

Key Protected Areas:

• Dachigam National Park (J&K) – The primary habitat of Hangul deer.
• Tral Wildlife Sanctuary (J&K) – Provides additional protection.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered (CR)
• Population Decline:
  • 1940s: 3,000–5,000 individuals.
  • 2023: Only 289 remain.

Key Features of Hangul Deer

Distinctive Antlers:

• Males possess large multi-tined antlers with 11-16 points.

Seasonal Mating & Birth Patterns:

• Mating Season: October–December.
• Birthing Season: April–May.

Diet:

• Herbivorous, feeding on grasses, leaves, and forest vegetation.

Reasons Behind Population Decline

Habitat Destruction:

• Deforestation & land encroachment have significantly reduced natural habitats.

Overgrazing:

• Competition with livestock for food has led to scarcity of resources.

Poaching & Illegal Hunting:

• Hunted for antlers and meat, further reducing their numbers.

Human Disturbance:

• Activities like grazing, herder movements, and tourism disrupt mating and birthing cycles, increasing stress levels.

Climate Change:

• Alters food availability and habitat conditions, making survival even more challenging.