Volume 25, Issue 75, January - June, 2024

A rare rendezvous: Albino spotted deer and swamp deer in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Binod Chaudhary¹, Abhinaya Pathak^2,3♦, Bijaya Dhami⁴, Sujan Khanal ⁵

¹Nature Guide Association, Sauraha, Chitwan, Nepal
²Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
³Department of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, USA
⁴Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, AB 116 St & 85 Ave, Edmonton, Canada
⁵Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus, Pokhara, Nepal

^♦Corresponding author
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu, Nepal, Department of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, USA

ABSTRACT

The Chital or spotted deer (Axis axis), classified as a species of least concern, is found in various habitats, notably in moist and dry deciduous forest areas, short grasslands in the terai, swampy meadows, mixed forests, or plantation regions. Similarly, Barasingha or swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii) are large herbivores dwelling in grasslands, primarily feeding on grasses and aquatic plants, with a strong preference for short grasslands. The presence of swamp deer was initially noted in Chitwan National Park (CNP) during the 1960s. However, it was later declared extinct in the park. In an effort to revive this species, the park initiated a reintroduction program by introducing seven swamp deer into the Padampur grassland in CNP from Shuklaphanta National Park in 2017. This study highlights two intriguing cases observed in the same location within CNP. First, the observation of an albino spotted deer, and the second is an untracked female swamp deer reintroduced to CNP. Understanding that albinism is a rare and complex phenomenon in wildlife, the stark coloration lacking protective camouflage, and impaired vision significantly reduce the survival rate of albinos, contributing to their low proportion within the population. In the case of swamp deer, the adaptability displayed by the lone survivor challenges the preconceived notions about species-specific translocation requirements. Nevertheless, observing swamp deer thrive not only within their own herds but also within mixed herds of different species opens up new avenues for future research and management.

Keywords: Albino, Chital, Swamp deer, Chitwan National Park, Re-introduction, Translocation

Species, 2024, 25(75), e5s1627

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v25i75.e5s1627

Published: 13 February 2024