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Rucervus duvauceli branderi
The barasingha is considered a vulnerable species by the IUCN (1996). R. d. duvaucelii is considered a vulnerable subspecies, while R. d. branderi is classified as endangered. Most serious, however, is the status of C. d. ranjitsinhi: critically endangered. Rare Barasingha or swamp deer, the Hard-ground barasinghas (Rucervus duvauceli branderi) is found only in Kanha. In central India, the barasingha disappeared from all but the Kanha National Park. Even here, from an estimated 3000 individuals in the early 1950s, within a decade less than 100 survived. The number reached an all-time low of 66 in 1970.
Seen at Kanha National Park.
Hunting, poaching and, more important, diversion of the bulk of grassland to agriculture, are considered the main causes of their reduced numbers. Tall grass is not only their food, but also provides security for young fawns during the birthing season. Barasingha is Hindi for "twelve horns", from barah (Hindi) twelve, and sig (Hindi) a horn, as this deer usually has twelve tines on its antlers.
Spotted on Oct 30, 2012
Submitted on Nov 4, 2012
9 Comments
Thanks Gilma. In 2009 there was a report that the numbers had increased to more than 350. Here is the report: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes....
I just saw this, I am hoping the numbers have increase since 1970, as we humans have become more "human" and started protecting endangered species!! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Daniele!
Beautiful animal! I have never seen one. Great information as wel1!
http://www.classicreader.com/book/2742/3...
Thanks to Alice , I read this nice story.
Wow! Great details and story Emma! Thanks for sharing :-)
lovely spotting! So majestic.
An extract from Purun Bhagat,
While Purun Bhagat was contemplating at the kali shrine he inhabited, he was slowly awakening to find he was one with all that was around him. He exclaimed how he perceived that nothing was big or small, too great or too little in this world. The Bhagat had attuned to all of nature around him. Such to a point that he had actually become personal friends with the feral animals scattered around the mountain.Puran Bhagat had saw through the delusional Maya and had united his soul with the infinite fire. There’s a point in the story where he couldn’t tell if he was alive or dead; this shows his uniting with Brahma or Brahm
Yes, you are right :-) this was mentioned on wiki too.
This name was familar to me because of one of Rudyard Kipling's stories "The Miracle of Purun Bhagat"