Kashmir, November 16,2025- Ganderbal Resident Rescues Endangered #MuskDeer: A Timely Act of Compassion in Central KashmirGanderbal, Nov 15, 2025 – In a heartwarming display of wildlife conservation, a #Ganderbal resident has successfully rescued a distressed #MuskDeer, an endangered species native to the Himalayan region, and handed it over to authorities for rehabilitation. The incident, which unfolded in the scenic Gagangir area of central Kashmir’s #Ganderbal district, highlights the growing need for community involvement in protecting vulnerable #wildlife amid increasing human-animal interactions.The Rescue StoryMunawar Ahmad Baniya, a local resident of Gagangir, spotted the weakened #MuskDeer near a water body while searching for his family’s missing goats. The animal, believed to be exhausted from navigating the rugged terrain, was in a vulnerable state, prompting immediate action from Baniya and his family.”I asked my father what it was, and he told us it was a #MuskDeer,” Baniya recounted. Recognizing the rarity and protected status of the species, he carefully brought the deer home and contacted Manzoor Ahmad, a local wildlife enthusiast, sharing a video for guidance. “He asked me to keep it safe until the #WildlifeDepartment team arrived,” Baniya added.
Wildlife officials from the #WildlifeProtectionDepartment responded swiftly, arriving at the scene to take custody of the #endangered #MuskDeer. The animal is now under professional care, receiving necessary medical attention to ensure its safe return to the wild.Significance of the RescueThe #HimalayanMuskDeer (Moschus chrysogaster), prized for its aromatic musk pod used in perfumes and traditional medicines, faces severe threats from poaching, habitat loss, and fragmentation across its range in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China. In Kashmir alone, populations are dwindling, with estimates suggesting fewer than 5,000 individuals remain in the broader Himalayan region. Past incidents in #Ganderbal, such as captures in Kangan and Watlar, have often ended tragically due to improper handling, underscoring the importance of such rescues.Local residents have lauded Baniya’s quick thinking, with many calling it a “life-saving intervention” that prevented potential harm to the elusive, nocturnal creature.
“This is a reminder that we all play a role in #conservation,” said one villager, emphasizing the balance between human livelihoods and #biodiversity preservation in #JammuAndKashmir.Call for Enhanced ProtectionExperts from the #WildlifeDepartment urge greater awareness and stricter enforcement against poaching, which drives the illegal trade of musk pods—valued at up to Rs 50,000 for just 10 grams. Initiatives like community patrols and habitat corridors could further bolster efforts to safeguard the #KashmirMuskDeer.This rescue serves as an inspiring example of how individual actions can contribute to larger #environmentalgoals. As #Ganderbal continues to balance tourism and ecology, stories like Baniya’s reinforce hope for the survival of Kashmir’s unique wildlifefauna
