A rare Kashmir stag (Hangul), who had apparently come down from the nearby forests, was spotted and captured by locals in Bonibagh area of Kangan in Ganderbal district on Saturday evening, and later handed over to the wildlife authorities.
A fawn (newly born Hangul) was reportedly spotted in the Bonibagh area on Saturday evening by some locals who managed to capture it and later handed it over to the wildlife authorities who took the animal to Pahalgam zoo.
Locals said that the fawn had received injuries while jumping over a road. “As soon as we got the information about the presence of a fawn in Bonibagh area, we rushed to the spot and rescued the animal,” said a wildlife official in Ganderbal. “The hangul was later shifted to Pahalgam zoo”.
Regional wildlife warden, Imtiyaz Ahmed Lone told Greater Kashmir that the female fawn, about 5 to 6-month-old, was later recovered by the rescue team including a veterinary doctor.
The official said that the fawn was shifted to Pahalgam zoo for treatment. “The chances of survival lessen due to human intervention. Such animals are very sensitive and once kept in human captivity, they mostly die. However the fawn captured in Kangan area is alive and responding to the treatment so far,” the official said. He said they are also investigating the circumstances under which the animal was captured.
As per latest 2015 census conducted by State government, the population of Kashmir Stag has declined to only 186 from 5000 species.
Hangul or the Kashmir Stag (Cervus Canadensis Hanglu) is the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir. Dachigam National Park is the last abode of critically endangered Hangul which is known for its magnificent antlers with 11 to 16 points, and is the only surviving race of the Red Deer family of Europe in the sub-continent.