Dying in Keibul, prospering in Delhi Zoo
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: June 11 2012 -

Sangai - "the dancing deer" at Keibul Lamjao :: Pix - Rocky Pebam

It is a piece of good news, but at the same time, a Very BAD one.

Yes, we are talking about proliferation of Sangai, the state animal of Manipur, in the National Zoological Park at Delhi while we do not even know the exact number of this supposed endangered species in its natural habitat - Keibul Lamjao National Park.

Though known locally before and also found in other parts of the state, this deer species was officially discovered in 1839 by Lt Percy Eld, a British officer, in whose honour the scientific name of Sangai was coined as Cervus eldi eldi. On account of unrestrained poaching, Sangai was regarded almost extinct by 1951.

But in 1953, E.P. Gee, an environmentalist and photographer, took pain to locate Sangai at Keibul Lamjao. Consequently, some efforts were taken to revive the rare species and in 1954, an area of around 20 sq miles was declared as sanctuary to save Sangai. In 1977, the sanctuary was notified as a National Park.

To give more impetus to protection of this 'Dancing deer' and conservation of its natural habitat, Sangai was declared the state animal of Manipur and it was listed as an endangered species by IUCN.

As an outcome, from a small herd of just 14 deers in 1975, its population risen to 155 in 1995. However, setting up of a second home of Sangai for breeding at Langol and subsequent surveys conducted to find out the number of this endangered species have not shown any sign of encouragement, and that is the end of the story.

On the other hand, it has come to light that the National Zoological Park at Delhi is becoming the biggest shelter for Sangai.

For the first time, two pairs of Sangai were brought to the Delhi zoo from Manipur in 1962 and since then, their number has been constantly increasing so much so that the Delhi zoo has outnumbered that in Imphal Zoo and the Zoo authorities at Delhi have decided to stop breeding for the time being.

In the 2011-12 counting, there were 58 Sangai deers in Delhi Zoo as against 11 in Imphal Zoo and since 1973, the Delhi Zoo has been giving out Sangai to other zoos including the Imphal Zoo under the Zoo Animal Exchange Programme. One Sangai was given to the Imphal Zoo in 1978 and four in 1995.

Now the interesting part of the story is how come Sangai, which are known to live in wetlands and along freshwater areas of Manipur, have found a comfortable habitat inside Delhi Zoo, which is neither a wetland nor a freshwater source, while they have been pushed slowly towards extinction in its own natural habitat at Keibul Lamjao National Park?

According to the authorities of Delhi Zoo, they have been taking good care of the dietary and medical needs of Sangai and ensure that the enclosures of the animal remains moist all times even during scorching summer.

That was the kind of dedication required for protection and proliferation of Sangai in its natural habitat.

Unless, the officials and the staffs concerned of the state government, who are paid for the job, are not ready to that, we would continue to experience the humiliation of returning without seeing Sangai every time we visit Keibul Lamjao National Park.