Far away from home, Sangai prospers in Delhi
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Agency

New Delhi, June 09 2012: National Zoological Park at Delhi has become the biggest shelter for Sangai deer, the State animal of Manipur.

Popularly known as Manipuri deer, this endangered species is a native of Manipur.

Interestingly, the number of Sangai in Delhi Zoo outnumbers that of in Manipur zoo.

As the numbers swell, the zoo authority in Delhi is now discouraging breeding of these animals.

Two pairs of this brow-antlered deer were brought to Delhi Zoo from Manipur in 1962.Since then their number has been constantly increasing, so much so that the Delhi Zoo outnumbers that of in Imphal Zoo.

In the 2011-12 counting, Delhi Zoo has 58 Sangai deer against 11 in the Imphal Zoo.

Since 1973, the Delhi Zoo has been giving out Sangai to the other zoos in the zoo animal exchange programme.

"Since 1973, we have given out 75 deer to other zoos.

On two occasions, the deer have been given to Imphal Zoo too," informed Curator of the Delhi Zoo RA Khan.

One deer was given to Imphal Zoo in 1978 and four in 1995.Till 2010, these deer have been sent to other zoos on 31 different occasions.

Though these animals are known to live in the wetlands and along the freshwater area in the North-Eastern region of India, they have found a comfortable habitat inside the Delhi Zoo which is neither a wetland nor a fresh water source.

"Over the years, these animals have adapted themselves to the climate of Delhi.

Besides, we take good care of their dietary and medical needs," said the Zoo Veterinary Doctor N Panneerselvam.

With summer in the Capital at its peak, the zoo authorities ensure that the enclosure of the animal is moist at all times.

Sprinklers have been installed inside the enclosures so that the grass around does not dry out.

"Puddles have been filled with water and stacks of hay have been kept inside the enclosures to protect the animals from summer heat," added Khan.

However, with their numbers increasing rapidly, the Zoo authorities have decided to stop breeding for the time being.

"This year we have decided not to allow breeding of the Sangai.

There number is so big that we have to accommodate them in two enclosures.

Only after some of them are given out to other zoos, we will start breeding them all over again," added Khan.

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