Scientists say smallest deer hidden in Arunachal forests

The leaf deer was discovered as late as 1999 when it was accidentally found in Myanmar. At that time, researchers believed that the species was ‘‘highly endemic’’ to the region.

Now, a team of four scientists — Japang Pansa of the Namdapha Tiger Reserve and M.D. Madhusudan, Aprajita Datta and Charudutt Misra of the Centre for Ecological Research and Nature Conservation Foundation (Mysore) — say they have evidence that the leaf deer exists in Arunachal’s forests. They have reported the discovery in the latest issue of the journal Current Science.

‘‘This, perhaps, represents the only addition, so far, to the ungulate fauna of the Indian subcontinent in the last century,’’ the article says.

The World Conservation Union (WCU), Switzerland, describes it as the ‘‘smallest true deer in the world’’, standing 60-80 cm tall and weighing just about 11 kg. The sighting of the animal is so rare that the WCU has not been able to assess its full distribution and status but says its numbers are constantly decreasing due to the hunters’ net.

In fact, the Indian team has till date not been able to spot the animal despite extensive surveys. The existence of the leaf deer has been confirmed by comparing the trophies that the tribals of the area proudly display.

The team says they have ‘‘conclusive evidence for the occurrence of leaf deer in India’’ since they have found many skulls, which when compared to skulls of related species, stand unique and could only belong to the world’s smallest deer, the Muntiacus Putaoensis.

Interestingly, while Indian scientists were ignorant of the existence of the species, the local tribals knew of the leaf deer. The Tangsa tribe calls it ‘‘Ling-pun’’ to distinguish it from its well-known cousin, the barking deer, which they call ‘‘Ki-ji’’.

Almost 20 per cent of the tribal families, interviewed by the researchers, have claimed to have hunted the leaf deer.

The team describes the find as ‘‘an important biological discovery not just for India but from a global perspective as well’’. The members hope to sight the elusive animal soon at the tiger reserve.