The shy Hangul (also known as the Kashmir deer or stag) -- the state animal of India's Jammu and Kashmir -- "may soon go extinct" without urgent action.
A subspecies of the Red Deer, the Hangul was spread all over India and Pakistan. But poaching decimated its numbers from 5,000 before the 1950s to the 200s in 2011.Today, the deer's last stronghold is in Dachigam National Park -- where it has to share its habitat with a government-owned sheep breeding farm. A very 'baa'd idea.
Recent episodes of stress-induced fawn abortions have launched wildlife officials into action. Outside disturbances, like private vehicles and grazers with their herds, have just been banned.
But nothing's been done about the inside disturbance also stressing the sensitive deer: the sheep breeding farm.
If you agree that a sheep breeding farm doesn't belong inside of a National Park, then sign and share this petition urging Indian authorities to move the sheep breeding farm out of Dachigam National Park and to offer the endangered Hangul more protection before it's too late.
Photo Credit: Mehmet Karatay
