Indian Deer

Indian Deer

The Brow-antlered Deer (Cervus eldi) of Manipur (northeast India), or Sangai, or Thamin. One of the rarest and most localised deer in the world - and quite obviously, the most endangered deer species in the world. The Sangai is confined to a wetland area to the south of Logtak lake in Manipur (northeast India). Captive breeding efforts have helped bolster its zoo population.

About the Indian Deer:
The most common of all deer found in the subcontinent, it is easily identifiable by its beautiful golden brown coat that is decorated with big white spots. An average stag is about 85-90 cm tall at its shoulder, and weighs 80kg. Unlike other ungulates, the coat of the spotted deer remains more or less the same throughout the year. Large herds can be seen in almost all the National Parks of North India.

Spotted Deer - Main Diet of Predatory Animals:
To counter attacks from its enemies, the spotted deer has evolved a unique vigilance system in which the entire herd takes part. The weak and the sick animals form the periphery of the herd while the cubs and their mothers remain towards the middle of the group. While grazing, each and every member of the herd is on the alert. The lookout habitually lifts its head to try and get a whiff of predators. It stands still to sense danger. If the threat is for real, it stomps its hind legs, and emits a shrill call – a signal for the entire herd to flee to a safer area.

Memorandum of Understanding:

The spotted deer has what can be called a 'memorandum of understanding', with lemurs. Lemurs keep it informed about any possible attack from its predators. The spotted deer also benefits from the leftovers that lemurs keep dropping from trees. In fact, the relation between the two species is so symbiotic that they explore the jungle together.

Another interesting fact about the spotted deer is that it does not wallow during the rut (and why should it, given its beautiful golden coat). Instead it emits a shrill call, and walks proudly, displaying its antlers. The mating season of the spotted deer is not very well defined and varies in different parts of the country. The species breeds once every six months, and the litter comprises of a single fawn.

Range: The Barasingha was previously seen across most of North and central India in areas of moist forest and swampland. With the destructions of its habitat, the Barasingha is now seen in isolated protected forests in Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Madhya Pradesh.

Estimated population: It is estimated that there are less than 5000 Barasingha worldwide. There are three sub species of Barasingha found in India.

Physical characteristics: The Barasingha is a medium sized deer. It can grow to a height of 130 cm and weigh up to 180 Kg. The Barasingha has a dense brown coat that keeps it warm and dry in its moist habitat. The coat of the male Barasingha becomes darker in color during the mating season. The antlers of an adult male Barasingha can grow up to 75cm long and can have more than 12 points. Habitat: The Barasingha prefers tall grass and reed beds near rivers. Marshes or swampland is a Barasingha's preferred territory. The Barasingha is found in forested areas in the Gangetic and Brahmaputra basins in India.

Diet: Barasingha are herbivores. They feed mainly on grass and leaves. The wetland subspecies of Barasingha also eats aquatic plants. They make several trips in a day to water holes or riverbanks to drink.

Behavior: Barasingha are active and graze during both the day and the night. Barasingha are usually seen in herds that vary in size depending on the time of year. Herds usually consist of 10 - 20 members. During the breeding season they form larger breeding herds of 30 - 60 deer. Male Barasingha fight to establish control over a herd of female deer. During the rest of the year adult male Barasingha are often solitary.

Status: The Barasingha is a vulnerable species. The destruction of their habitat due to deforestation, the draining of swamps and marshes for farming, poaching for its horns and diseases transmitted by domestic cattle, have all led to the decline of the Barasingha in India.