Mating calls indicate endangered Hanguls are on a comeback trail

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

Kashmir’s hangul, a critically endangered species of deer known for its shyness and sensitivity, experienced one of its healthiest mating seasons in the previous autumn, indicating a possible increase in population.

Details:

The hangul population could surpass 300 this spring, marking the first time in over 30 years.
The current male-to-female ratio stands at 19.2 males per 100 females, which is significantly lower than the ideal.

About Hangul:

Hangul, also known as the Kashmir stag, is a species of deer native to the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India.
Scientific Name: Hangul is scientifically known as Cervus hanglu.
Hangul primarily inhabits the dense temperate forests of the Kashmir Valley and its surrounding areas. It is found at elevations ranging from 1,700 meters to 3,000 meters above sea level.

Challenges:

Challenges such as habitat disturbance and human intervention have impacted hanguls, but improved environmental conditions and protective measures, including traffic regulation in Ganderbal for safe hangul movement, are being implemented.
The Wildlife Department has identified threats such as water scarcity, leading to hanguls venturing into disturbed habitats, increasing the risk of predation.

Conservation efforts:

During the rutting season in October, the Dachigam National Park, where hanguls reside, was temporarily closed.
The hangul, recognized as the State animal of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), has seen its numbers decline sharply since 1947, from around 2,000 to as low as 183 in 2015.
However, recent efforts have led to a steady increase, with the population estimated at 261 in 2021.
To support hangul conservation, 10 sites have been earmarked for protection, and a captive-breeding facility has been established at Shikargah Tral.

Source: TH