Musk Deer

• 28 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

According to a Central Zoo Authority (CZA) report, Indian zoos have not yet started any breeding programme for the conservation of the Musk Deer.  

 Key Points 

• Lack of Population Data for Musk Deer: 
  • The report reveals no updated population information for the alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster). 
  • No recent estimates exist regarding the species' numbers in the wild. 
• Ineffective Conservation Response:  
  • In response to an RTI, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that conservation is a state responsibility and did not provide details about the Himalayan Musk Project started in 1982. 
    • The 1982 Himalayan Musk Project aimed to promote in-situ conservation and animal welfare. 
    • Over time, focus shifted to high-profile species like the tiger, neglecting musk deer conservation. 
• History of Captive Breeding Attempts: 
  • Captive breeding began in 1965 and intensified post-1975 under government schemes. 
  • Breeding centres at Kufri, Almora, and Chamoli failed to achieve goals of rewilding and musk extraction. 
  • All deer at Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary's breeding centre eventually died, leading to closure in 2006. 
• Confusion in Species Identification: 
  • The CZA report highlights that zoos often misidentified alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) and Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster). 
  • This confusion has hampered captive breeding efforts and proper species management. 
• Poor Management of Captive Breeding Programmes: 
  • Although breeding plans exist for various endangered species, many are either non-functional or poorly managed. 
  • Issues such as poor record-keeping, species misidentification, and lack of systematic tracking have weakened conservation outcomes. 
• Other Species Facing Similar Challenges: 
  • Endangered species like the Tibetan antelope, Nilgiri tahr, Ganges river dolphin, and Hangul also lack proper captive breeding programmes. 
  • Wild water buffalo and pygmy hog conservation efforts show some promise but remain fragile and underfunded. 
• Gaps in Genetic Monitoring and Research: 
  • Breeding efforts suffer due to insufficient founder stock and lack of genetic monitoring. 
  • India still lacks genome information for many endangered species. 
  • Research is constrained by forest regulations that restrict the collection of animal tissue and blood samples. 
• Need for Improved Scientific Investment: 
  • India needs significant investment in de-extinction sciences, conservation genomics, and wildlife research infrastructure. 
  • Existing facilities like Hyderabad’s Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species require better integration with zoo networks. 

 Central Zoo Authority  

• The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, established in 1992 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.  
• It is chaired by the Environment Minister and has 10 members and a member-secretary.  
• Its objective is to complement and strengthen the national effort in conservation of rich biodiversity.