Study on captivity and management of Manipur brow antlered deer rucervus eldii eldii in national zoological park New Delhi

Abstract

This research was an attempt to assess the population trend, general biology and behaviour, food preferences as well as health status in terms of management and conservation status of Manipur Brow-antlered Deer in National Zoological Park (NZP), New Delhi. It has been found that very less research has been done regarding all-inclusive study of this captive deer in NZP and in the other Indian zoos as well. Not much investigation has been done so far to find out the gaps between Conservation Breeding Guidelines provided by Central Zoo Authority of India (CZA) and existing management practices in NZP. For this purpose, a comprehensive study was needed in order to investigate to what extent; conservation breeding practices might ultimately help in the conservation and protection of the concerned species. A thorough study has been made in terms of population trend, behaviour, housing and enrichment, food and health of endangered captive Manipur Brow-antlered deer. The study has been carried out from February 2016 to January 2018 at the enclosure of Manipur Brow-antlered deer in the National Zoological Park, Delhi. Regarding population trend analysis, fluctuating trend lines in terms of stock position, births and deaths have been observed in different seasons viz. Pre-rut (October, November, December and January), Rut (February, March, April and May) and Post-rut seasons (June, July, August and September) from the year 1962 to 2018. The stock position also indicated the surplus individuals with maximum stock position (70) were recorded during the year 2006-2007. The male female ratio was not as per standard sex ratio i.e., 5 males: 15 females. Rise and fall in the disposal trends and only two acquisitions have been noted in the year 1999. Occurrence of more number of births (318) in the favourable condition and maximum deaths (177) due to infighting injury were accessed. In the year 2016-17, 10 births were reported and the numbers of deaths were occurred in males (three) due to injury (caused by infighting) and due ...