Trapped in Icy Waters for Three Days, Hangul Swims to Safety

Riyaz Bhat
SRINAGAR

Kashmiri Hangul

A Kashmiri Hangul Friday swam to safety after spending three days in chilly waters of Baglihar Lake where it fell accidently on Wednesday.

Reports said that the Hangul swam across the river and took refuge in the bushes on its banks.

An official of the wildlife department said that the Hangul has received minor injuries and a team of doctors was sent to the spot to treat the animal.

Deepak Sharma, Chief wildlife warden said that the Hangul is now out of water and we will soon take him to a safe place where he will be treated.

He said that the animal might be tired after three days of struggle with ice cold waters. The doctors will decide the quantity of drug that the animal can tolerate and then they will take care of the animal.

The official of the wildlife department said that the Hangul might have fallen into the lake while descending from the nearby hills.

“Hangul will probably be taken to Dachigam National Park where he will receive protection as well as satisfactory treatment,” said an environmentalist.

The Kashmir stag (Cervus elaphus hanglu), also called hangul, is found in dense riverine forests in the high valleys and mountains of the Kashmir valley. Hangul is also found in Dachigam National Park where it receives protection but elsewhere it is more at risk.

In 1940s, the population of Hangul was between 3000 and 5000 individuals, but since then habitat destruction, over-grazing by domestic livestock and poaching have greatly reduced their number dramatically.

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