4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - SOUTHERN SWAMP DEER (MALE) (Rucervus duvaucelii ssp. branderi) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

The Southern Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi), or hard-ground barasingha, is an endangered deer subspecies found only in Kanha National Park and the Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, India. Unlike other swamp deer, they have hard hooves adapted for dry, hard ground, inhabiting open sal forests. 

Here are key facts about the Southern Swamp Deer:

Habitat and Adaptation: Adapted to hard ground and open sal forests, unlike their wetland-loving counterparts, these deer thrive in central India's grassland and forest mix.

Distinct Physical Features: They have hard hooves, a maned neck, and a vibrant, bright rufous-brown summer coat. Males possess impressive antlers, usually with 10 to 14 tines.

Population Recovery: Nearly extinct in the early 1970s with only about 60 individuals, successful conservation efforts in Kanha National Park boosted their population to around 750 by 2016.

Diet and Behavior: They are herbivores, primarily eating grasses and leaves, and are generally active throughout the day, with peaks in the morning and evening.

Social Structure: They live in single-sex or mixed herds of 10 to 20 individuals, often led by a female (hind), while males (stags) are less loyal to specific groups.

Conservation Status: Listed as part of the Vulnerable Rucervus duvaucelii species, they face threats from habitat loss, poaching, and inbreeding.

State Animal: The hard-ground barasingha is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh.

Reproduction: They have a polygynous mating system, with a 240–250 day gestation period, typically resulting in a single fawn. 

They are currently being reintroduced into the Satpura Tiger Reserve to create a second, sustainable population. 

2-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - SOUTHERN SWAMP DEER (Rucervus duvaucelii ssp. branderi)

The Hard-ground Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi), or swamp deer, is an endangered subspecies endemic to Central India, notably Kanha National Park. Unlike other swamp deer, they have hard, non-splayed hooves for grazing on dry, hard ground rather than wet, marshy areas. They are large herbivores with 12–14 tined antlers and are currently threatened by habitat fragmentation.

Key Facts about Rucervus duvaucelii branderi:

Distinct Physical Features: This subspecies features unique hard, black hooves, unlike the soft, splayed hooves of Northern subspecies that live in wetlands.

Habitat: Unlike others of its species, this variant lives in dry, hard-ground habitats, primarily open woodlands and tall grasslands in Central India.

Diet: They are dedicated grazers, relying heavily on tall grass species such as Saccharum, Imperata, and Narenga.

Social Structure: They are social animals, often forming large herds, sometimes reaching up to 60 individuals in the central Indian plains.

Breeding: Breeding peaks between September and October in Kanha National Park, with a gestation period of approximately 240–250 days, usually resulting in a single calf.

Conservation Status: They are listed as vulnerable to extinction, with their population largely restricted to a few protected reserves.

Reintroduction: They have been successfully reintroduced into sites like Satpura Tiger Reserve to expand their habitat, where second and third-generation fawns have been born.

Appearance: They have dark, woolly, brownish coats in winter, shifting to a brighter, light brown-orange in the summer.Name: "Barasingha" translates to "twelve-tined," referring to their extensive antler branching.

Barasingha is the colloquial Indian term for The Swamp Deer. It means “the twelve tined one.” Their antlers are a spectacle to behold. An adult male can have somewhere between 12 to 15 tines in his antlers. The heavy branches make them look prettiest. 

If you notice a chital, aka spotted deer, you would see that they have only about three tines. But this one has twelve, and that is the whole beauty of it. Central India was once the ground for these hard ground swamp deer. However, somewhere in the 1970s, the number fell drastically to double digits, making Barasingha an endangered species. This drew a nation-wide concern.

Around the same time, a conservation project for tigers was initiated. It facilitated suitable grounds for the Barasingha to thrive as well. A win-win!The success story of the increasing number of swamp deers in Kanha National Park is India’s one of the best conservation projects.

The Barasingha, also called swamp deer, is a special kind of deer found in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh! 🦌They are known for their unique antlers, which can have up to 12 points, and their beautiful golden-brown fur. The name "Barasingha" comes from the Hindi words "bāra," meaning "twelve," and "singh," meaning "antler." This species is very social and lives in herds. They love marshy areas where they can find food and stay safe. You'll usually find them near lakes, rivers, and grasslands!