Kashmir stag

Head of a Hanguls

The Hangul or Kashmir stag (Cervus elaphus hanglu ) is a subspecies of the South Asian elk. The exact systematic position is not yet fully understood. He will sometimes together with the Tibetan Shou and the MacNeill deer in its own nature, united China red deer (Cervus wallichii ).

Description

The Hangul reaches a head-body length of 210-230 cm and a shoulder height of 120 to 130 cm. The fur is brown to ashy-brown, lighter on the flanks and limbs. In summer the fur is brighter and redder. The head is long with a narrow snout, lips, ears and chin are whitish. The antler has Aug-, ice -, middle rung and crown, in the adult animal per rod five or more ends. The neck is hairy with the males long and bushy. The tail is lighter and relatively short on the bottom. The mirror is edged white and dark.

Proliferation and threat

The distribution area of the Hangul is situated in Kashmir as well as in the northern Chamba, the largest population lives in Dachigam National Park. The subspecies is considered endangered. While the population was in the early 90 's of the twentieth century still at 3,000-5,000 animals, the stock was estimated in late 2007 to just 190 animals. Main reasons for the decline are the destruction of habitat and hunting. The Hangul was declared on 11 May 1987 state animal in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.