For the first time in many years, West Bengal has got an exciting wildlife surprise. Scientists have finally captured clear photographic evidence of an animal, something no one has even seen in the last 70 years— the Himalayan Musk Deer. This discovery has renewed hope for a species once believed to be lost from the region. Keep reading for more details.
Himalayan Musk Deer Spotted In West Bengal
The long-lost, Himalayan Musk Deer was spotted in Neora Valley National Park in the hills of Kalimpong district. Scientists spotted the deer during a camera trap survey carried out under the Pan-India Assessment and Monitoring of Endangered Species programme, reported NDTV. Although the project focused mainly on studying the Red Panda, it also took a look at other wildlife in the area.
In December 2023, one of these cameras captured six photographs of a musk deer. They were at an altitude of 3,112 metres. The images confirm that the species still survives in West Bengal, despite decades of uncertainty surrounding its existence. Researchers published their findings in a Cambridge University Press India journal. They described the photos as the first photographic proof of the deer’s presence in the state since 1955, when it was last reported in Singalila National Park. Since then, its existence here had remained unclear.
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Species Marked Endangered On The IUCN Red List
The Himalayan musk deer is an endangered species, mainly because it is hunted for its musk gland, which is used in traditional medicines and perfumes. Its habitat is also shrinking due to human activity. According to NDTV, although this deer is found in several Himalayan states, scientists were unsure if it still lived in West Bengal—until this new discovery confirmed its presence.
Neora Valley National Park plays an important role in this discovery. Spread across 160 square kilometres, it is part of the larger Kangchenjunga landscape. It includes a mix of temperate, subtropical, and tropical forests. Scientists believe the musk deer may have survived here because of suitable habitat and minimal human interference in some areas.
The finding marks a crucial step toward understanding the Himalayan Musk Deer’s survival and safeguarding its future.
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Cover Image Courtesy: X/ @ParveenKaswan & Canva Pro/ Sushil Chikane