Thursday, August 04, 2005

Deer Oh Deer


Deer Oh Deer
Originally uploaded by Pandiyan.

Swamp deer also known as Barasingha. Famous for its antlers which can develop 12 points or more. The one in the picture is a juvenile. The color becomes darker during the mating season.

They were close to extinction few decades ago but revived. They are still considered 'vulnerable' as they are surviving mostly in sanctuaries and other protected places.

Their number is said to be a mere 5000. The reasons for decline is loss of habitat - deforestation, draining of swamps for making farms, infection from domestic cattle and poaching for horns.

Scientific name: Cervus duvauceli

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