KASHMIRI RED STAG (HANGUL)
Kashmir Red Stag is commonly known as hangul.
IUCN Status : Critically endangered
It is the only Asiatic survivor or sub-species of the European red deer.
It is known for its giant antlers bearing 11 to 16 points.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
This deer is endemic to India. It lives in groups of 2 to 18 individuals in dense riverine forests, high valleys and mountains of the Kashmir valley and northern Chamba in Himachal Pradesh.
➡️ It is found mostly in DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is also found in RAJPARIAN (DAKSUM) WILDLIFE SANCTUARY of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is the official Animal of Jammu and Kashmir.
➡️ It is also reported from GAMGUL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY of Himachal Pradesh.
Predation : Brown bear, snow leopard and Himalayan black bear are it’s main predators.
Grass Cutting : The locals tend to cut much grass for their domesticated animals at the cost of the food of the Kashmir stag.
The IUCN Red Data Book has listed the Hangul as one of three species that are critically endangered and at the risk of extinction in J&K.
The other two species are :
1⃣ The Markhor — the world’s largest species of wild goat found in Kashmir and several regions of central Asia.
2⃣ The Tibetan antelope or ‘Chiru’.