Elusive but old Kashmir Musk Deer rescued in Bandipora

Bandipora, Dec 13: In one of the rare events, the wildlife officials have rescued an elusive and endangered Kashmir Musk Deer (Moschus Cupreus) from north Kashmir's Bandipora district

The Musk Deer, locally called as (Roose Kett) officials told Greater Kashmir, was spotted by the locals in the forests of an uphill village of Chandaji in Bandipora.

"It was spotted hidden in the bushes by the locals who informed the territorial forest protection force, they in turn informed us and we sent the team and rescued the Musk Deer," Fida Hussain a wildlife in-charge in Bandipora said. Hussain said the Deer was brought to Chiternaar wildlife rehabilitation center and then shifted to the Animal Husbandry department for a vet checkup.

On the positive side, Hussain said there were "no injury marks," and that the female KMD was stable but "distressed due to some apparent nerve problems in his hind leg as suggested by the vet," Hussain informed Greater Kashmir.

The officials also estimated the Musk Deers age between 7-8 years, which they said suggested that the species has been "essentially conserved" in the belt as it was old enough for its age to have survived for all these years.

Notably the area where the Musk Deer was found comes under a belt in Bandipora which is considered fragile for its rich flora and fauna.

This is not the first time the elusive Musk Deer has been spotted or rescued in the area. The officials in 2022 spotted a Deer and some years ago rescued a Musk Deer too, Hussain informed.

The area is spread across Gurez and covers Chandaji near Kishanganga Power Project, Athwatoo, Tangath and other areas in Bandipora too.

Besides Kashmir Musk Deer, the belt, particularly besides the Kishanganga Hydel Power Project, is also known to have the presence of distinctive Himalayan Ibex and Kail, a type of mountain goat.

Hussain said, "considering the age of the Himalayan Musk Deer, it suggests that the number would surely have increased."