Sanctuary Asia — January 2018

Sanctuary | Natural History

Manipur Bush Quail

Like the Malabar civet, there are more unconfi rmed reports of sightings of this species than hard core evidence. And like the

Himalayan Quail, it may share the same behaviour of being essentially crepuscular and shy. The fact is that this small and rather

fl ashy species was last conclusively recorded in 1932. Reports since then (one in 2006 and another in 2014) suggest that the

species survives, but the lack of verifi able recent records and reporting despite the many fold increase in birdwatchers does

not paint a rosy picture about its future. Birdlife International classifi es this quail as Endangered without any quality scientifi c

evidence in support. It is, perhaps, more likely Critically Endangered already, and deserves more

attention than the eff ort wasted on the more charismatic Himalayan Quail.

Scientifi c name: Perdicula manipurensis

Range: North Bengal to Northeast India

Conservation status: Endangered

Last confi rmed sighting: 1932. Stray individual reports since 2005

Cause of decline: Loss of tall grassland habitat through drainage and destruction

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Sangai

Also known as the brow-antlered deer or the Manipuri brow-antlered deer and sometimes even the dancing deer because of its

stepping gait, this species is confi ned to nine square kilometres of fl oating ‘phumdi’ islands in Loktak lake, Manipur in the

far east of India. At last count there were only 204 (in 2013) of these deer left in the wild though the population of other

subspecies of Eld’s deer is considered viable, even if endangered. Conservation of this ‘state animal’ is entirely in the

hands of the local population as it fi ghts man-made hydrological changes that are destroying its specialised habitat.

If care is not taken, it will go extinct once again as it did in 1951 and no E. P. Gee will rediscover it today.

Scientifi c name: Rucervus eldii eldii

Range: Loktak Lake, Manipur

Conservation status: Endangered at species level

Last count: 203 (2013)

Cause of decline: Hunting, habitat loss and hydrology changes in Loktak lake

Hangul

The Kashmir stag or hangul is found in the Dachigam National Park, Kashmir. Despite DNA studies, the jury is still out as to

whether this animal is a subspecies of the elk (wapiti) or red deer. Since elk are abundant, as are red deer, no one really knows

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Jerdon’s Courser

This bird is highly endangered and its current status is hard to establish. Last reported from the Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary

in Andhra Pradesh, which was created for its protection, this nocturnal bird is slipping fast and recent records are few and far between.

It would seem that this is the second time the species’ future has turned doubtful. Thought to be extinct

until 1986, it was rediscovered in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. Since then it has been sporadically

recorded, but was last reported in 2011. It may well have been seen after that date but prudence may have

prompted scientists from withholding sensitive information that could be a death blow to a very fragile species.

Scientifi c name: Rhinoptilus bitorquatus

Range: Southern Andhra Pradesh

Conservation status: Critically Endangered

Last confi rmed sighting: 2011

Cause of decline: Small fragmented population, habitat degradation and other anthropogenic factors

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