How many antlers does a barasingha have

Grassland areas were also expanded and improved through the eradication of brushwood trees that invade and congest grasslands to create forests. Large and small unpalatable weed species were eradicated to facilitate growth of more palatable grass species.

As populations of other herbivores were also growing at Kanha, grasslands were undergoing degradation because of grazing pressure. The Kanha management also started setting aside several grassland exclosures for one or two years for relief from overgrazing. Later, these exclosures would be unfenced for wild herbivores. The barasingha also benefitted from this practice.

Besides, degraded areas of prime grasslands were also restocked by thorough burning, cleaning, ploughing, and seeding and planting slips of select palatable grass species. These exclosures would be closed for one or two years and opened again after some relief and revival. Good patches of tall grass cover are very essential for the fawning of the barasingha and post-natal care by females.

The females drop their fawns into such covers which protect newborns from scavengers and predators, ensuring a good recruitment to the population. A specially-designed, predation-proof enclosure was also constructed for assured multiplication of this endangered deer and their future release into the wild. Initially, the area of this enclosure, encompassing typical barasingha habitat features like grassland, perennial water and tree groves for shade, was around 25 hectares.

The enclosure proved so effective that some 15 years ago, it was expanded to around 50 hectares. Continuous monitoring forms a very important aspect of the conservation of small populations. So all the barasingha populations throughout Kanha were monitored daily in a prescribed format.

This included recording the name of the site, compartment number, possible age and sex classes of the deer, mortality etc. Such continuous monitoring of the population also contributed to effective management of this species. All these excellent and timely interventions gradually paid dividends, albeit slowly.

The population rose to 88 in , 96 in , in , and crossed the mark in These populations began establishing themselves on several new grasslands in the national park, although the increasing trend continued slowly and took a worryingly-long 50 years to establish this population.

As the years passed, the above strategy - now modified, refined and more practically comprehended - has restored the barasingha population to a safer status of around 1, animals today.

Finding a new home This single and small population of the endangered deer species was, however, regarded as being prone to sudden epidemics and ultimately getting wiped out. This led to the idea of reintroduction of a founder population of the deer, into other protected areas of its historic distribution range.

More populations at geographically different places are always considered better and safer than one population being restricted to only one place. Besides, after a successful reintroduction of 50 gaur the Indian bison to the Bandhavgarh tiger reserve, the Kanha management had, by now, also gained enough confidence to undertake this new venture. The Satpura tiger reserve, a beautiful protected area and the chosen site for the reintroduction had, until several decades ago, also supported a small population of this sub-species, and still had good habitat.

Considering all the pros and cons involved in this multi-disciplinary ambitious project, it was decided that as an experiment, only a few barasingha should first be introduced into the Van Vihar national park, Bhopal, by a non-invasive capture method without using drugs or chemicals. On the basis of this test-attempt, further field exercises, preparations, capture and translocation could be refined to satisfaction.

A comprehensive capture, transportation and release protocol was prepared, and nothing was left to chance. This covered a wide range of reintroduction aspects from objectives, feasibility studies, population viability study, to installation of capture boma large cage , veterinary interventions, capture method, transportation and release etc. A non-invasive capture method of gently driving select animals into specially-designed truck-containers, was employed in a large enclosure.

After the successful trial of this reintroduction programme, the Kanha management started translocating barasingha to the Satpura tiger reserve, and between March , and in February , a total of 58 animals have been shifted.

This new population - of around 90 animals, some inside a specially-designed enclosure - is now doing well in their new home. While on the one hand, the sub-species will enhance the biodiversity status of these protected areas, on the other the expansion of its current geographical distribution will also add to security against local extinctions, and may also create a new blood line in future.

However, a word of caution is in order here. These reintroduction programmes need to be undertaken in all comprehensiveness to avoid disappointment. Some protected areas that readily come to mind for as probable reintroduction sites are: Achanakmar and Udanti-Sitanadi tiger reserves in Chhattisgarh; Tadoba-Andhari and Navegaon-Nagzira tiger reserves in Maharashtra; Sunabeda and Simlipal tiger reserves in Odisha, and Bandhavgarh and Phen wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh.

We can only hope, after these translocation programmes, that the beautiful barasingha will thrive and grow in number, and never again be in danger of being decimated. Read 0 Comment post a comment. Continue without login. Login from existing account Facebook Google Email. All Comments Your Activity. We have sent you a verification email. To verify, just follow the link in the message. But before that, he must prove some of his allegations at the Bombay high court Sujata Anandan 13 Nov , Vulnerable VU.

Population Population threats Barasinghas have suffered from habitat destruction as a result of deforestation as well as draining of swamps and marshes for agricultural purposes. Ecological niche These herbivorous mammals control plant communities of their range by grazing. Fun Facts for Kids The wetland subspecies of Barasingha generally consumes aquatic vegetation. In order to get to their meal, these animals dip their head in the water. Males of this species are commonly known as 'bucks'.

Meanwhile, large males are called 'stags'. Female Barasinghas are known as 'does' and offspring are called 'fawns'. Newborn babies of this species exhibit spots on their body, which help them to escape predators by camouflaging in the grass.

However, this color pattern gradually disappears by 1 year old. Deer in general are accomplished jumpers and exceptionally good swimmers. Antlers of these animals are extension of their bones. When antlers of a young deer emerge, they are usually covered in a layer of 'felt', which has blood vessels in it.

When this felt dries, young males remove it and expose their antlers. They get rid of the felt by rubbing against tree bark. References 1. Included in Lists Threatened Species of India.

Mammals of India. Threatened Species of Nepal. Mammals of Nepal. Related Animals Moose. Roe Deer. Mule Deer. Southern Pudu. White-Tailed Deer. Red Brocket.

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