J-K wildlife officials arrange food for Hangul
January 3rd, 2011 - 7:55 pm ICT by ANIBy Parvez Butt
Srinagar, Jan.3 (ANI): The wildlife officials at the Dachigam National Park, have made special arrangements for the endangered ‘Hangul’ deer, as the Kashmir Valley is experiencing heavy snowfall.
The vegetation and soil on which these deer survive are covered under thick snow, making it difficult for the animal to graze.
“The herbs and other vegetables which these animals eat are covered under snow during this season. We keep these supplementary feed and mineral cakes, as this endangered species finds it difficult to find food during this lean period,” said Rashid Naqash, a wildlife warden, the Dachigam National Park.
Presently, around 200 hangul deers are surviving in the park from 3,000 in the 1940s.
Forest officials collect dry willows and other herbs that are placed at strategic spots for the deers to descend down and feed.
Cakes made of special salts and minerals are also scattered in the forests, as snow makes it impossible for the animal to get its supplement of salts from the soil.
“These wild animals they get the required salts from the soil but during snowfall the whole region is covered with snow. So, we have to take special care that they receive adequate amount of salt,” said Nazir Ahmad, a forest guard.
“For the last couple of years, we have brought special kind of salt that has over 20 other minerals and vitamins. We have placed these salt cakes in a large area for the deer,” he added.
The Hangul is the only surviving species of the red deer family of Europe in the sub-continent.
Hangul stags are prized for their magnificent heads. (ANI)
- Endangered Hangul stag population rising in Kashmir Valley - Nov 14, 2010
- Ansari visits Dachigam National Park - Sep 17, 2012
- Kashmir officials start radio collaring of leopards - Mar 19, 2012
- Deforestation, human intervention threatens Dachigam national park in J-K - Oct 18, 2009
- International conference for conservation of Kashmir stag held in Srinagar - Oct 11, 2009
- Villagers take lessons in saving Kashmir's rare deer - Nov 27, 2011
- Snow affected Hanguls enjoying State hospitality in Jammu and Kashmir - Jan 14, 2008
- A sheep farm vs Kashmir's dwindling Hanguls (With Images) - Feb 28, 2012
- Pakistan doesn't have a single lion, tiger, rhino - Nov 07, 2010
- WII to host global deer conservation meet in Srinagar next month - Sep 16, 2009
- Kashmir draws up ambitious plan to preserve red deer - Mar 08, 2010
- The white ghost of the Himalayas: A vision in the snow (Feature) - Mar 11, 2012
- Wildlife authorities initiate census on endangered Hangul deer in Kashmir - Mar 23, 2009
- Kashmir's endangered stag population on the rise - Apr 24, 2009
- A rehabilitation centre for black bears comes up in Kashmir - Feb 23, 2010
Tags: 1940s, dachigam national park, deer family, deers, endangered species, forest guard, forest officials, hangul, heavy snowfall, kashmir, kashmir valley, nazir ahmad, rashid, red deer, salts, stags, thick snow, wild animals, wildlife officials, willows