Rucervus duvaucelii

The barasingha, also known as the swamp deer, is a large cervid distinguished by its impressive antlers that can bear up to 20 tines in mature males. Adults typically weigh 130-280 kg, with males significantly larger than females. These deer exhibit a distinctive hard-ground and soft-ground ecotype variation, with different hoof adaptations for their respective habitats.

As grazers, they play a crucial role in maintaining grassland ecosystems and serve as prey for large carnivores including tigers and leopards.

Historically distributed across the Indo-Gangetic plains, barasingha now occupy fragmented populations in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. They inhabit tall grasslands, floodplains, and swampy areas, with the soft-ground subspecies preferring marshy wetlands while the hard-ground subspecies favors drier grasslands and forest edges.

The species faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion, particularly rice cultivation that has converted vast grassland habitats. Livestock grazing competes for resources and degrades habitat quality. Hunting for meat and antlers persists despite legal protection.

Controlled burning practices have disrupted natural fire cycles essential for grassland maintenance. Disease transmission from domestic livestock poses additional risks, while logging activities fragment remaining forest habitats.

Conservation efforts include habitat restoration in protected areas, anti-poaching measures, and captive breeding programs. Successful reintroduction projects have established new populations in several Indian national parks. Community-based conservation initiatives engage local stakeholders in protection efforts.

Despite conservation successes in specific locations, the overall population trend remains declining due to continued habitat loss and fragmentation across the species' range.