The Barasingha deer (*Rucervus duvaucelii*), often called the swamp deer, is a remarkable species native to the Indian subcontinent. Known for its impressive antlers, its name derives from the Hindustani term *barah-singga*, meaning "twelve-horned." Mature stags typically boast 10 to 14 tines, with exceptional individuals displaying as many as 20.
Barasingha populations are primarily found in central and northern India. Unfortunately, these majestic creatures are now extinct in Bangladesh and Pakistan, where they once roamed freely. Today, they are classified as endangered, facing threats from habitat loss and poaching.
Interestingly, Barasingha were introduced to Texas between the 1930s and 1950s, when King Ranch acquired the exotics from the San Diego zoo. "Texans have acquired exotics to observe for pleasure, to substitute for extirpated native big game, to increase the variety of game for hunting, to increase production and income from rangelands by using combinations of animals that have varied food habits, and to sustain populations of species that are endangered on their native ranges (Texas, 2024)." While small populations still exist on Texas ranches, efforts are made to support conservation.
The Barasingha serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and wildlife conservation, inspiring efforts to protect this extraordinary species and its natural ecosystems.
For more facts on the Barasingha, click here.
Sources:
Texas. (2024). Exotics. Texas State Historical Association. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/exotics#:~:text=Perhaps%20the%20earliest%20releases%20of,and%20other%20species%20were%20released.
WorldDeer.org, J. from. (2020, July). Types of Deer: A Deer Species List from Around the World. World Deer. https://worlddeer.org/barasingha-deer/