Srinagar: A carcass of a Hangul with bullet wounds in Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary near Srinagar has fueled concerns among people about the endangered species in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the reports, a group of trekkers found the dead hangul after which they also clicked its pictures. The trekkers have said that the hangul was killed with bullets and its precious antlers sawed off.
Talking with ETV Bharat, Altaf Hussain, wildlife warden of the central division, said that the sample has been sent for investigation and they are waiting for a report.
"When we have the report with us, it will be clear whether the hangul died because of bullet wounds or was killed by some wild animal," he said.
The Hangul is the only surviving sub-species in the Indian subcontinent of the Red Deer family native to Europe. The magnificent mammal has been declared as a 'critically endangered species' by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
Also read: Rare Snow Leopards Spotted In Uttarkashi's Gangotri National Park
Known for its giant antlers bearing 11 to 16 points, the Hangul has been hunted for centuries and its habitat has been destroyed, leading to its population plunging to 237 which is a cause of concern.
Once found in high altitude regions of Northern India, the Kashmir Stag is now confined to only Dachigam National Park in Kashmir. It has been considered one of the rarest mammals in the subcontinent for the last six decades.
