The Status of Nepal's Mammals: The National Red List Series - IUCN

References
Prater 1971, Suwal and Verheught 1995, Khanal et al. 2002, Ernst 2003, Weigal 2005, Baral and Shah 2008,
Bhatta 2008, Mallon 2008, Csurhes and Fisher 2010, Nepal Red List of Mammals National Workshop 2010.
3) Moschiola indica (Gray, 1852)
Common Names
Indian Spotted Chevrotain (English); Muse Mriga
(Nepali)
Synonyms
Meminna indica (Gray, 1843, 1852)
Species Description
Smallest deer in Nepal. Chestnut coloured coat
with cream stripes and spots along body.
Species Ecology
The Indian Spotted Chevrotain inhabits evergreen
and deciduous forests, Sal forests and grasslands.
Conservation Status
Global: Least Concern
National: Critically Endangered D
Rationale for assessment: The Indian Spotted
Chevrotain (Meminna indica) has been assessed
as Critically Endangered under criterion D as it is
suspected that fewer than 50 mature individuals still
occur in Nepal. Chevrotains occurred in Nepal up to
the 1960s and possibly 1980s but numbers are not
known. It is likely that after the eradication of
malaria in areas of suitable habitats, increased
human pressures, loss of habitat and poaching
caused large declines. Lack of observations and
records of this species in recent years either
suggests numbers are extremely low in the now
restricted areas of suitable habitat or completely
extirpated from Nepal. However, this assessment
deemed it premature to assess this species as
Regionally Extinct due to lack of extensive surveys
for this inconspicuous species which could be easily
missed in more general habitat and species surveys.
Legal Status
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029
(1973).
National Population Size
There have been no recent sightings and it may
possibly be Regionally Extinct. If the species does
still occur then it is considered to have declined
significantly.
National Distribution
Chevrotains were last observed in Banke, Mahadeva,
Tamaspur, Nawalparasi, Parsa and Bara Districts,
however, there have been no reports of this species
from Nepal since the 1970s.
Distribution outside Nepal
India. Although the Indian Chevrotain occurs
throughout most of India, it is not clear if it is
present in areas neighbouring Nepal from where
re-population could occur.
Main Threats
• Inbreeding.
• Poaching.
22