摘要 : The Kashmir Deer or Hangul <i>Cervus elaphus hanglu</i>, a critically endangered deer, is one of the four easternmost subspecies of Red Deer found in Asia and is endemic to the mountains of Kashmir in the north-western Himalayan r... 展开 The Kashmir Deer or Hangul <i>Cervus elaphus hanglu</i>, a critically endangered deer, is one of the four easternmost subspecies of Red Deer found in Asia and is endemic to the mountains of Kashmir in the north-western Himalayan region of India. At present, the only viable Hangul population is confined to the 141 sq. km Dachigam National Park (NP), with a few isolated Hangul herds in its adjoining protected areas. Here, we present our recent (2001-2008) assessment of the Hangul's status and conservation in the Kashmir region based on intensive monitoring in Dachigam NP and extensive surveys carried out all over the Hangul's erstwhile stronghold and range. Our range-wise surveys indicate that at present the last surviving and genetically viable Hangul population of 140-170 individuals is restricted to Dachigam NP. A few isolated Hangul populations are also present in the adjoining conservation reserve areas of Bren-Nishat (11 Hangul), including Cheshmashahi Forest Reserve, south-west of Dachigam NP, where a direct sighting of two Hangul females was made in autumn; Khrew (2-6 Hangul); Khanagund (1-2 Hangul); Shikargah (7-12 Hangul) and Overa Wildlife Sanctuary (6 Hangul). Besides, Hangul use the Surfrao and Akhal blocks of Sindh Forest Division, north-east of Dachigam NP, during spring and summer. A group of about 12 Hangul was sighted north of the holy Amarnath cave, which falls just outside the demarcated boundaries of the Overa-Aru and Baltal-Thajwas wildlife sanctuaries, east of Dachigam NP. The current population trends indicate that the species could go extinct if the necessary serious interventions are not made immediately. This study attributes the decline in Hangul population to low breeding, female biased sex ratio, the problem of survival of the young, inadequate recruitment of fawns to adulthood due to factors such as considerable predation by the Leopard <i>Panthera pardus</i> and Asiatic Black Bear <i>Ursus thibetanus</i>, poaching and continued degradation of Hangul summer habitats in Upper Dachigam, along with biotic interference in winter habitats, and the movements of Hangul in summer to unprotected areas in Sindh Forest Division outside Dachigam NP and the excessive biotic interferences therein. Significant parasitic infestations have also been found in faecal samples of Hangul in Dachigam NP. The Hangul population in Dachigam NP and its adjoining areas thus needs immediate attention. An intensive population monitoring programme, studies of the reproductive ecology and movement patterns of the Hangul and monitoring its health to understand better the factors affecting the population growth and biology and other aspects of Hangul ecology are required for effective management and long term conservation. Population studies indicate a decrease in genetic heterozygosity over time and thus there is a need for urgent measures to arrest the loss in heterozygosis and declining trend of the Hangul population. There is an urgent need for a Hangul recovery plan to be developed that includes field surveys to identify corridors to help dispersion and reintroduction of Hangul to its former distribution range and habitat protection in Upper Dachigam and other potential Hangul habitats outside Dachigam. A captive breeding plan for the Hangul is important to repopulate existing good habitats in the Hangul range, beginning with the Shikargah-Overa ranges in Lidder Valley. 收起