Manipur Brow-Antlered Deer (Cervus eldi eldi), the most endangered wild animal in Asia, is locally called the sangai. A terrestrial animal, turning dark chocolate-brown in the rutting season, from their ocherfawn pelage during the molt. The rut develops between March and April. The gestation period is between 239 to 256 days.
The most distinguished physical feature is the unique formation of their antlers, forming a continuous arc from the highly developed brow-tines to the main beam of the antler, without the angular junction over the pedicle characteristic of all other deer antler formations. Hence, it named ‘Brow-Antlered Deer’. The deer is nearly 4 ft high at the withers. Their hinds are smaller.
Manipur Brow-Antlered Deer prefers open scrub jungle, or flat/undulating lands between hill and river ranges or marshy land. They feed mainly on grass, leaves and fallen fruits or raid crops in their vicinity.
It can be spotted in the Keibul Lam Jao National Park, Manipur.
