Anantnag, Nov 07 (KNO): A female sambar deer has been spotted in the forests of Sinthan Top in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, with wildlife officials describing the sighting as rare.
The animal was reportedly sighted by passengers travelling on the Kashmir side of Sinthan Top near Daksum. Officials believe the deer may have become separated from its group.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Wildlife Warden South, Bijbehara, Sajad Ahmad Bhat said the Sinthan Top forest area is connected to the Kishtwar belt, and the animal may have either migrated from that side or moved to lower elevations in search of habitat.
"Our men are deployed in the area and are receiving such inputs. Wild goats have also been sighted there," he said.
Another wildlife official said sightings of female sambar deer in Kashmir are uncommon, as the species occurs in relatively smaller numbers in the Valley and is more commonly found in the Jammu region.
The sambar (Rusa unicolor) is the largest deer species found in the Indian subcontinent.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the sambar has been listed as a Vulnerable species on its Red List since 2008 due to significant population declines caused by hunting and habitat loss.
Jammu and Kashmir is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including several rare and endangered species such as the Hangul, Kashmir musk deer, Markhor and Asiatic ibex—(KNO)