Just in time for Halloween, a strange vampire-fanged deer was spotted in northeast Afghanistan for the first time in over 60 years.
The Kashmir musk deer has not been seen since a Danish survey team wandered through the forested slopes of the region in 1948, the Wildlife Conservation Society reported.
The fascinating species is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List because of habitat loss and poaching. The deer possesses a scent gland that is considered to be more valuable than gol.
"Musk deer are one of Afghanistan's living treasures," said co-author Peter Zahler, WCS Deputy Director of Asia Programs. "This rare species, along with better known wildlife such as snow leopards, are the natural heritage of this struggling nation. We hope that conditions will stabilize soon to allow WCS and local partners to better evaluate conservation needs of this species."
The survey team recorded five sightings; a lone male three times, a solitary female, and a female with a juvenile. All of the sightings occurred in rocky outcrops within alpine meadows containing dense bushes of juniper and rhododendron. The researchers said the deer were extremely hard to spot and impossible to photograph.
There are currently seven species of musk deer in Asia, and the WCS noted targeted conservation, especially of the Kashmir species, is crucial for their survival.
"Musk deer are one of Afghanistan's living treasures," said co-author Peter Zahler, WCS Deputy Director of Asia Programs. "This rare species, along with better known wildlife such as snow leopards, are the natural heritage of this struggling nation. We hope that conditions will stabilize soon to allow WCS and local partners to better evaluate conservation needs of this species."
The observations were reported in the October issue of the journal Oryx.
