Critically endangered Sangai deer found in Manipur’s Loktak Lake to be translocated

Manipur Forest Department in the third week of June 2015 decided to translocate a section of rare and critically endangered species of Brow Antlered deer known as Sangai. It will be shifted with an aim to save it from extinction.

The deer found only in Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), a floating biomass in Manipur's Loktak Lake, will be shifted to Pumlen Pat, which is close to Loktak. KLNP is the only floating national park in the world.

Pumlen Pat was chosen for translocation as it is also a phumdi (floating biomass) and comprises of small hillocks which will act as shelter place for Sangai.

Sangai which is the state animal of Manipur was once found across the Manipur Valley. At present it is only found in Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) situated inside the lake.

The conservation efforts have helped in reviving the population of the deer from less than 100 in 2008 to 204 in 2013.

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