Sangai breeding centre at KLNP approved
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 13: A project for construction of a Sangai conservation and breeding centre at Keibul Lamjao National Park has been approved by the Central Zoo Authority.
The project is an initiative of the State Forest Department aimed at conserving Sangai, an endangered animal found only on the floating National Park.
For construction of the breeding centre, a land measuring 7 hectares has been secured, said sources familiar with the development.
Considering the fact that Keibul Lamjao National Park is their only natural habitat, the brow-antlered deer are quite vulnerable.
As the animals are confined to only one place, the chance of them going extinct is high without proper measures.
The project to build a conservation centre is a step toward protecting and conserving the animal, said the sources.
The Sangai conservation and breeding centre will significantly improve chances of the species' survival in any unfavourable event, said the sources.
The objective is to breed the animal in the centre and release them in the park and other areas identified as safe habitat sites.
Distributing them in more than one habitat will reduce their chance of contracting diseases and increase their chance of survival, added the sources.
The sources continued that the State Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India experts are conducting surveys at 11 potential habitat sites.
While this initiative may improve conservation efforts, experts have, however, pointed out that inbreeding among the Sangai, which exist as a single isolated population may bear negative implications due to a lack of genetic diversity.
Inbreeding is associated with decreased overall health and a lower ability to survive. It also leads to fertility concerns and a slow population growth rate.
In inbreeding, an animal species experiences a high rate of infant mortality, lower birth weights and vulnerability to disease. A damaged immune system makes the animal more susceptible to diseases and parasites, said experts.
IMPHAL, Dec 13: A project for construction of a Sangai conservation and breeding centre at Keibul Lamjao National Park has been approved by the Central Zoo Authority.
The project is an initiative of the State Forest Department aimed at conserving Sangai, an endangered animal found only on the floating National Park.
For construction of the breeding centre, a land measuring 7 hectares has been secured, said sources familiar with the development.
Considering the fact that Keibul Lamjao National Park is their only natural habitat, the brow-antlered deer are quite vulnerable.
As the animals are confined to only one place, the chance of them going extinct is high without proper measures.
The project to build a conservation centre is a step toward protecting and conserving the animal, said the sources.
The Sangai conservation and breeding centre will significantly improve chances of the species' survival in any unfavourable event, said the sources.
The objective is to breed the animal in the centre and release them in the park and other areas identified as safe habitat sites.
Distributing them in more than one habitat will reduce their chance of contracting diseases and increase their chance of survival, added the sources.
The sources continued that the State Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India experts are conducting surveys at 11 potential habitat sites.
While this initiative may improve conservation efforts, experts have, however, pointed out that inbreeding among the Sangai, which exist as a single isolated population may bear negative implications due to a lack of genetic diversity.
Inbreeding is associated with decreased overall health and a lower ability to survive. It also leads to fertility concerns and a slow population growth rate.
In inbreeding, an animal species experiences a high rate of infant mortality, lower birth weights and vulnerability to disease. A damaged immune system makes the animal more susceptible to diseases and parasites, said experts.