Musk Deer | कस्तुरी मृग (KASTURI MRIGA)
The musk deer (Moschus leucogaster) are a genus of elusive and rare mammals, found in rugged forest landscapes of the Himalayas, Tibetan plateau, and Siberia. Despite its name and its resemblance to deer, they are not actually true deer, and are more closely related to sheep and goats. Their distinct feature is the musk pod found in males, which produces a persistent, penetrating odor.
(Moschus leucogaster)
(Moschus chrysogaster)
(Moschus cupreus)
Musk deer are distributed across thirteen Asian countries. They are found in forested, mountainous areas which are above 2500 m above sea level.
Musk deer are territorial and solitary animals who usually live far from human civilization. They mark their territory by establishing individual latrine sites with scent marks. They are active either during the night (nocturnal) or in the dawn and dusk (crepuscular). Like true deer species, they are herbivorous, and feed mostly on leaves and flowers.
Musk deer only interact with each other in the breeding season, which typically occurs during late January to May. Female give birth between May and June, and are the sole caretakers of the offsprings. Each female gives birth to one or two fawns and nurse them for about two months. They mature at about one year old and live up to 10 to 15 years.
Musk deer have played a significant role in economic, medicinal, and cultural traditions for centuries. The musk found in their adult male species, have been traditionally valued for use in highest grade perfume. Excessive hunting of musk deer (irrespective of sex and age), for their musk pod and teeth, have now placed six of their seven species (including all species found in Nepal), on the brink of extinction. Despite them being protected in all countries, illegal hunting still continues, as musk can be sold for up to USD 45,000, per kg.
Apart from poaching musk deer population is threatened also due to other causes like habitat degradation and fragmentation. Despite this, research and conservation of musk deer from the national level remains low, focusing more on conservation of species found in the Terai region.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the six species as lower risk/near threatened. It is also listed in the Appendix I of CITES. In Nepal, all of its three species are protected in the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973.
The global population of Musk deer is estimated to be between 400,000 to 800,000. In Nepal, the population is estimated between 2000 to 2500.
– Musk deer have gall bladders, unlike in true deer species
– Male musk deer grow long, curved fangs which are used to attract females and fight with fellow males during the breeding season.
As illegal hunting is the main cause of decline of musk deer population, it is essential to monitor poaching activities and try to minimize them.
We recruit field patrolling group to monitor and destroy any snares set up by poachers to trap and kill musk deer. Similarly, their set up camera traps in the local forests to identify and deter any illegal activities
Link to Patrolling Program
As musk deer usually live far from human society, safeguarding and restoring forests is important to preserve their natural habitat
Link to examples
We should collaborate with local communities to promote conservation awareness and sustainable practices.
Link to examples
Expanding genetic studies and ecological surveys to refine conservation strategies, is a must as there is currently not enough information on musk deer. The national red list of mammals currently categorizes them as a data deficient species, so we are trying to do more research.
Link to examples
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