Rare Himalayan Musk Deer rescued along LoC in Gurez

Bandipora, Apr 24: A rare male musk deer was rescued by the Wildlife Department from a village near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Gurez Valley of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, officials said on Friday.
The animal, locally known as “Roose Kat”, was spotted in Wanpora village, prompting locals to alert the department, they said.
A wildlife team rushed to the area and launched a rescue operation, successfully capturing the deer alive without causing any harm, officials said.
Wildlife official Tanveer Ahmad said that the species is rarely sighted along the LoC belt in Gurez, making the rescue significant.
The animal was shifted to the Ajas range for initial care and later referred to the Dachigam Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for treatment and observation, he said.
The Kashmir musk deer (Moschus cupreus) is an endangered and elusive mammal found in the high-altitude Himalayas. Despite its name, it is not a true deer but belongs to a separate family, Moschidae.
Males are known for their elongated, tusk-like canines and a musk gland, which has made the species a target for poaching.
Officials said severe winters often push the animal to lower altitudes, leading to occasional sightings in human habitations.
They said illegal hunting for the musk pod remains the biggest threat, as it is used in perfumes and traditional medicine and fetches high prices on the black market.
Habitat degradation due to deforestation, livestock grazing and human expansion has further added to the pressure on the species.
Officials urged people to inform the department immediately in case of wildlife sightings to enable timely intervention and prevent conflict. (KNO)