Scientists embark on Mission Hangul in J&K

Scientists in Kashmir have embarked on an ambitious programme of breeding the critically endangered ‘Hangul’ in captivity in a bid to save the majestic animal from becoming extinct.

Under the programme, the Hangul will be picked up from the wild and released in the conservation centers for breeding. After successful breeding the Hanguls and their off springs would again be released in the wild to allow them to increase their numbers in natural habitat.

“We have established conservation breeding center last year (at Shikargah Tral). Since the season is approaching we are hopeful of getting the parent stock for breeding Hangul in captivity. It is for the first time in the sub-continent that such captive breeding programme for Hangul is being started”, said Suhail Intesar, wildlife warden, Shopian-Pulwama (South Kashmir).

Under the protocol a minimum of two males and three females of Hangul are required for starting the captive breeding programme.
“We have a dispensary (for the Hangul) in place. We have now requisitioned a full-time veterinarian to supervise the programme”, said Suhail.

Scientists are putting extra efforts to ensure that the conservation programme succeeds in the state. “This is a long term project and monitoring will take around 10 years. Since it is first such programme we have to see how animals behave in captivity”, said an expert.

Hangul, cervus elaphus hanglu, is the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir. Found in the forest ridges of the Dachigam wildlife sanctuary, the majestic animal is known for its reddish coat and two antlers.

According to Hangul census 2011, Dachigam National Park and its adjoining areas house 218 red deer. As per official figures the Hangul population in 2004 had been estimated at 197, 153 in 2006, 127 in 2008 and 175 in 2009 at Dachigam National Park.

The government has also launched a habitat research study in collaboration with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology for satellite collaring of Hangul in order to understand the movement patterns and the habitat, both in and outside the Dachigam National Park.