Alpine Musk Deer

Alpine Musk Deer Latest News

A Central Zoo Authority report reveals a mix-up in identifying the Alpine musk deer for conservation breeding, mistakenly initiating programs for the Himalayan musk deer instead.

About Alpine Musk Deer

• The Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) is a musk deer species found only in Asia.
• It is not a true deer, but rather its family is closely related to Bovidae, the group that contains antelopes, bovines, sheep, and goats.
• It is generally solitary and a crepuscular animal.
• Alpine musk deer is named for having an externally visible musk sac between the male testes. Its fangs grow during mating season and are used for sparring with other males.
• Habitat: It inhabits coniferous and deciduous forests in the mountain regions at elevations of 3,000–5,000 m.
• Diet: It is a ruminant herbivore, foremost a browser and feeds mainly on forbs, grasses, moss, lichens, and shoots, leaves and twigs of shrubs.
• Distribution: It is mainly found in India, Nepal, Bhutan and China.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I 
• Threats: The main threat to the Alpine musk deer is poaching for its musk, which is used in cosmetic products.

 Source: DTE

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