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

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National: Vulnerable A2ade
Rationale for assessment: Axis Deer (Axis axis) has
been assessed as Vulnerable under criterion A due
to an observed population decline of at least 30%
over the past 20 years in the wild. Although this
species is still frequently observed and occurs along
the Terai-Bhabar region of Nepal and all protected
areas within this region, the population has been
observed to be in decline and is no longer
considered as common as it once was. The causes of
this decline have not been successfully addressed,
nor are any specific measures in place for this
species, therefore it is considered to be Vulnerable.
Large populations of this species occur in areas of
suitable habitat in neighbouring countries, however
further research needs to establish the level of
movement across these political borders.
Legal Status
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029
(1973). This species occurs within protected areas.
National Population Size
Total: Unknown, but abundant and frequently
observed
Trend: Decreasing
This species is frequently observed and the present
population may be greater than 20,000 individuals.
However the population is considered to be
experiencing a decline of at least 30% over the
past 20 years inferred from field observations and
research on carnivore prey base.
National Distribution
This species is widely distributed along the
Terai-Bhabar region of Nepal and within all of the
protected areas of the lowlands; Bardia National
Park, Chitwan National Park, Koshi Tappu Wildlife
Reserve, Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Shukla Phanta
Wildlife Reserve and adjoining forests outside the
protected areas in Banke, Dang, Gorkana, Kailali and
Kathmandu districts.
Distribution outside Nepal
India (including the Terai-Bhabar belt of the foothills
of the Himalaya from Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal
through Nepal), Sri Lanka
Main Threats
• Hunting for subsistence
• Habitat loss and degradation due to human
encroachment and invasive alien plant species
such as Mikania micrantha, Lantana camara and
Chromolaena odorata.
Conservation Measures in Place
None.
Conservation Recommendations
i) Enhance law enforcement outside protected areas
through local community involvement (community
youth anti-poaching units and scouts programmes);
Chital is one of the most poached species for dry
meat throughout the Terai.
ii) Reduce the dependency of buffer zone
communities on the park natural resources through
supporting alternative livelihoods, improved
livestock management and biogas plants.
iii) Improve grassland management, including
implementation of a long term plan for the control
of invasive alien plant species both inside and
outside protected areas; The Chital is one of the
preferred prey species of the tiger, thus tiger
conservation is directly linked to that of Chital.
iv) Implement standardised patrol-based
monitoring system for grassland species including
Chital. Produce standardised status reports for park
management.
References
Sharathandra and Gadgil 1980, Mishra 1982ab, Chapple 1989, Chapple et al. 1993, Moe and Wegge 1994, Bhat
and Rawat 1995, Suwal and Verheugt 1995, Moe and Wegge 1997, Ernst 2003, Naresh Subedi (pers. comm.)
2009, Hem Sagar Baral (pers obs.) 2010, Nepal Red List of Mammals Field Technicians Workshop 2010.