Hog Deer

• A hog deer has been spotted for the first time in the Chilla Range of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, being captured recently by trap cameras.

ABOUT HOG DEER

• Scientific name- Axis porcinus
• Global spread – northern India, Pakistan and Southeast Asia.
• In India, Hog Deer inhabits the alluvial grasslands of the Terai forest right from Corbett to the forests of Assam.
• They feed on tender shoots and grasses in addition to flowers and fallen fruit.
• Hog deer as named has a peculiar habit of running like a hog with its head down without the traditional leaps of a deer.
• Hog deer live in open areas and avoid closed forests.
• Males tend to be territorial and mark their territory with glandular secretions.
• Hog deer are solitary animals. However, they may occasionally be observed feeding in small herds in open terrains.
• Protection status
  • IUCN red list status – Endangered.
  • Schedule I of the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

ABOUT RAJAJI TIGER RESERVE

• It is spread across Uttarakhand’s three districts – Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal.
• It is situated along the hills and foothills of the Shiwalik ranges.
• It was named after the famous freedom fighter C. Rajgopalachari; popularly known as “Rajaji”.
• It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2015 as the 48th tiger reserve of the country.
• Vegetation– broadleaved deciduous forests, grasslands, scrub land and pine forests
• Flora– Amaltas, Rohini, Palash, Shisham, Sal, Sandan, Khair etc.
• Fauna– Elephants, Tigers, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Goral, Striped Hyena, Himalayan Black Bear, Sloth Bear, Jackal, Barking Deer, Sambhar, Wild boar etc