Researchers have documented the presence of leucistic sambar has been documented in the Sangama range of Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
What is leucistic?
- It is an abnormal condition of reduced pigmentation affecting animals such as birds, mammals, and reptiles, that is marked by overall pale colour or patches of reduced colouring.
- It is caused by a genetic mutation that inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair, or skin.
About Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor):
- They are a large deer species belonging to the Cervidae family
- Characteristics: They have a thick coat of long, coarse hair which forms a dense mane around the neck, especially in males. The males can be distinguished by their antlers, as well as being slightly larger and darker than females and young.
- Habitat: They reside preferably near cultivated areas, such as gardens and plantations, to acquire food, but are also found in thick forests, swamp forests, and open scrub.
- Distribution: They are native to India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Burma, Sri Lanka, Philippines, southern China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, and Java.
- Threats: Habitat Loss and Fragmentation, Illegal Hunting and Poaching, Human-Wildlife Conflict, and Trade and Trafficking.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable
About Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary:
- It is a protected area located in the Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagar districts of Karnataka.
- The Cauvery River passes through its midst.
- It will connect the Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu with the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in neighbouring Karnataka thereby forming a large, contiguous network of protected areas for wildlife.
- This landscape maintains further continuity to the Nilgiri Biosphere through Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, Billigiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve in Karnataka and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and Erode District.
- It is home to 35 species of mammals, 238 species of birds, Leith’s soft-shelled turtles, smooth-coated otters, marsh crocodile0073 and four-horned antelopes, and is a wildlife paradise.
- Two elephant corridors, the Nandimangalam-Ulibanda Corridor and the Kovaipallam-Anebiddahalla Corridor fall in this area.
Ref: Source
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