Deer with 'vampire-fangs' spotted in Afghanistan
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E-mail China.org.cn, November 5, 2014
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The unusual fangs of a musk deer are used by males during the breeding season. A recent WCS study found a population of Kashmir musk deer living in Afghanistan. Photo shows a Siberian musk deer -- one of seven similar species found in Asia. [Photo by Julie Larsen Maher/WCS] |
An endangered deer with vampire-like fangs was discovered for the first time in more than 60 years, in northeast Afghanistan, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) said in a written statement.
Known as the Kashmir musk deer--one the seven similar species found in Asia-- the last scientific sighting in Afghanistan was believed to have been made by a Danish survey team traversing the region in 1948.
The species is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and poaching. Its scent glands are coveted by wildlife traffickers and are considered more valuable by weight than gold, fetching as much as 45,000 U.S. dollars per kilogram on the black market. The male's distinct saber-like tusks are used during the rutting season to compete with other males.
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