Barasingha

Facts

IUCN VULNERABLE (VU)

Facts about this animal

The barasingha is a long-legged, long-bodied, medium sized deer with large, scythe shaped antlers and large, spreadable hooves. The head-body length is about 180 cm, the height at the shoulder is 115-125 cm. The antlers grow up to a length of 104 cm. The weight is 230-283 kg for an adult male, females are smaller and lighter.

The ears are medium-sized, wide but pointed and well-haired on the inner surface. The coat is moderately fine and often woolly in texture. The neck of the male is maned. The summer coat is often with pale spots. Males are reddish brown, females yellowish brown, and they both have a dark dorsal line. The winter coat is darker brown, shading to yellowish brown on the lower parts.

Did you know?
that the causes of the barasingha's decline and present threats include destruction or modification of its habitat for wetland reclamation, grass and timber cutting, illegal gathering of fuelwood and other resources in reserves, and cultivation or tree plantations; poaching; and shooting for (allegedly) crop protection? Diseases introduced by cattle may also have been a factor.

Factsheet
Class	MAMMALIA
Order	ARTIODACTYLA
Suborder	RUMINANTIA
Family	CERVIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Cervus duvaucelii
Name (English)	Barasingha
Name (French)	Barasinga
Name (German)	Barasinga, Zackenhirsch
Name (Spanish)	Barasinga
CITES Status	Appendix I
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Franco Atirador

Distribution

Distribution
Range	India, Nepal
Habitat	Marshy grasslands, floodplains and meadows
Wild population	Approx.: 5'000 (1998)
Zoo population	290 reported to ISIS (2005)

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

Hard antlers should be removed before transport under proper restraint and, where required, sedation. No deer with antlers in velvet at a stage of growth which could be damaged easily should be transported where there is a risk of injury.

For air transport, Container Note 73 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations, should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Altaipanther

Why do zoos keep this animal

The barasigha is a vulnerable species with the populations of all three subspecies being in the order of only 5'000 animals. With a view of maintaining a long-term viable ex situ reserve population, an International Studbook was established in 1983 with a regional breeding programme being run by AZA.

How this animal should be kept

Barasinghas should be kept in social groups of one adult male and several females with their offspring. Temporary separation of sexes and keeping in bachelor groups is also possible.

For up to five adult animals an outdoor enclosure of at least 800 m² is required, which should be enlarged by 50 m² for each additional adult. The enclosure should be well structured by logs, hepas of branches, rocks, bushes, or trees, allowing the deer to withdraw and hide from each other. There should be a pool and a mud bath. Branches should be made available for antler rubbing (removal of velvet). Frequently used areas, e.g. at the entrance to the stables, should be paved. The soil should be well drained.

Enclosures with non-drained soil and grass cover offer at least 2000 m² per adult animal. A shelter of suitable size to accommodate all animals or, in colder climatic zones, indoor stabling of at least 4 m² per adult should be available as a protection from inclement weather or for providing shadow. The indoor stabling is dry and free of drafts, and it is heated to 10ºC during winter.

Barasinghas do graze and browse, feeding on grass, water plants, leaves, shoots, flowers, twigs etc. The diet should therefore consist of good quality hay ad lib., fresh browse (winter: leafless; summer: with leaves), dried browse (in winter, e.g.chestnut leaves), fresh lucerne/grass mixture (only summer), pellets especially for browsers, crushed oats, bran, fruit, and vegetables.