Kashmir's Red Deer On The Brink Of Extinction - 170 Left

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DACHIGAM, India - "A rare species of red deer found only in the mountains of Kashmir is on the verge of extinction because of years of neglect and rebellion in the Himalayan region.

The red deer (cervus elaphus hanglu), known commonly as the hangul, was once the biggest draw of a mountain-ringed sanctuary on the outskirts of Kashmir's main city, Srinagar, where they grazed in huge herds.

Today, the number of the deer in the Dachigam forests has dwindled from about 5,000 to about 170 after years of poaching and neglect by authorities busy fighting a separatist revolt.

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Indian Kashmir, once a famous tourist destination, has been reeling under a violent separatist rebellion for 14 years which has taken a heavy toll on the state's environment and famous wildlife, including the snow leopard and brown bear. But the worst hit in the stunningly beautiful region is the Hangul, a majestic looking deer with a brownish coat and two antlers, found mostly in the forests of Dachigam, 25 km (15 miles) from Srinagar."

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http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/22892/story.htm