It's a fanged creature unlike any other, and it clearly won't need a costume this Halloween. The unusual herbivore, the Kashmir Musk Deer is a species that was once native to the northern ranges of Afghanistan. Though, in spite of the fact that the species has not been seen for more than 60 years, a team of researchers headed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) recently revealed that more than a handful of the rare species have been identified in alpine meadows of northeast Afghanistan, just in time to come out for Halloween.
One of seven similar species found in Asia, the Kashmir Musk Deer is an endangered species on account of significant habitat loss and poaching activity seen throughout the region. Notably distinct because of its telltale fangs, they are small and stocky herbivores that only use their fangs as weapons when males compete during mating season.
Even more well known in the region for its unique smell, the Kashmir Musk Deer is a high-ticket black market item that is often poached specifically for its scent glands. Used in perfumes and traditional medicines for ages in the region, the scent glands produce a potent chemical that can value them more than $20,000 per pound.
Publishing their findings in the journal Oryx earlier this month, the researchers identified several individuals while only a solitary adult male was observed. However, as the species is of a skittish disposition, the researchers were unable to capture photographic evidence of those they were able to spot.
They are hopeful that the discovery of Kashmir Musk Deers within the region may reveal a rebounding population of the endangered species, however, insist that further observational studies and tracking will be essential in finding the species' true size and keeping them safe from poachers.
"Musk Deer are one of Afghanistan's living treasures" lead author of the study, Peter Zahler says. "This rare species, along with better known wildlife such as snow leopards, are the natural heritage of this struggling nation."
"We hope that conditions will stabilize soon to allow WCS and local partners to better evaluate conservation needs of this species."
