Why in News
Kashmir’s highly shy and sensitive animal, hangul.
Hangul is listed as a critically endangered indigenous species of deer.
It has reported one of the healthiest rutting or mating seasons in the previous autumn.
Experts suggested the roars or calls made by hanguls during rutting indicate that their number will cross 300 this spring, the first time in more than three decades.
Hangul
Habitat: Dense riverine forests, high valleys, and mountains of Jammu and Kashmir and northern Himachal Pradesh.
Appearance:
Size: Large deer, with males reaching up to 1.3 meters (4.3 ft) at the shoulder and weighing up to 220 kg (485 lbs).
Coat: Brownish red with speckles and a light rump patch.
Males: Have impressive antlers with 11 to 16 points, shed annually and regrown larger each year.
Females: Smaller than males and lack antlers.
Threats: Habitat loss, poaching, and competition with livestock for food and resources.
Conservation efforts:
The hangul is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Importance: The hangul is an important part of the Himalayan ecosystem and holds cultural significance in Kashmir.
Its continued survival depends on effective conservation efforts.
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