Himalayan Musk Deer Research Articles

Faunal abundance along timberline ecotone in western Himalaya with reference to anthropogenic pressure and season: a case study

High anthropogenic pressure not only affects individual species, but also has a negative impact on overall ecosystem health and its resilience capability, especially in the ecosystem transition zone, such as “timberline ecotone”. Timberline ecotone in western Himalaya is currently facing dual threat due to climate change and anthropogenic pressures. The present study aims to enhance our understanding about how various mammal and bird species use this ecotone across seasons and gradient of anthropogenic pressure, using standard animal abundance estimation method in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Ten mammalian species, five birds of prey, four pheasant, and fifty-three small bird species were found to use timberline ecotone during different seasons. The timberline ecotone experiences high anthropogenic pressure during summer and monsoon. The abundance of mammal such as Himalayan musk deer (β = − 1.62 ± 0.50, P < 0.01) and pheasant such as Himalayan monal (β = − 0.38 ± 0.15, P < 0.01) were found to be negatively influenced by wood cutting, livestock grazing. The density and species richness of small birds were comparatively higher in moderately disturbed sites than that of highest or least disturbed sites. In addition, the small bird species composition varied significantly across sites with different anthropogenic pressure. This study revealed the differential impact of anthropogenic pressure on various mammalian and bird species, which utilized timberline ecotone seasonally or year round. Furthermore, the result of the present study also indicated faunal species (e.g., Himalayan musk deer), which could be used as indicator species to understand impact and magnitude of anthropogenic pressure on timberline ecotone.

MtDNA analysis confirms the endangered Kashmir musk deer extends its range to Nepal

Musk deer Moschus spp. are endemic to the high mountain forests of central Asia. The taxonomic status of musk deer in the central and western Himalayas is poorly understood. We investigated the phylogenetic relationship of musk deer from the central and western Himalayas based on mitochondrial genomic data of Cytochrome b (380 bps) and D-loop (1000 bps). Our results distinguished two divergent lineages using higher bootstrap support (bs) values from the Maximum likelihood and Bayesian posterior probabilities (bpp). Both the Manang and Kaski lineages from central Nepal are confirmed as Himalayan musk deer Moschus leucogaster and represent a species complex widespread throughout the central and eastern Himalayan region. The musk deer Mustang lineage was confirmed as Kashmir musk deer Moschus cupreus and has wide distribution in the western Himalayas (from central Nepal to Afghanistan). Our analysis validates that Kashmir musk deer is a genetically distinct species and it clarifies that Himalayan musk deer and Kashmir musk deer are confirmed instead of Alpine musk deer Moschus chrysogaster which has been previously described from the southern parts of Himalayas of Nepal, India and Pakistan.

Ecological correlates of Himalayan musk deer Moschus leucogaster.

Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster; hereafter musk deer) are endangered as a result of poaching and habitat loss. The species is nocturnal, crepuscular, and elusive, making direct observation of habitat use and behavior difficult. However, musk deer establish and repeatedly use the same latrines for defecation. To quantify musk deer habitat correlates, we used observational spatial data based on presence–absence of musk deer latrines, as well as a range of fine spatial‐scale ecological covariates. To determine presence–absence of musk deer, we exhaustively searched randomly selected forest trails using a 20‐m belt transect in different study sites within the Neshyang Valley in the Annapurna Conservation Area. In a subsequent way, study sites were classified as habitat or nonhabitat for musk deer. A total of 252 plots, 20 × 20 m, were systematically established every 100 m along 51 transects (each ~0.5 km long) laid out at different elevations to record a range of ecological habitat variables. We used mixed‐effect models and principal component analysis to characterize relationships between deer presence–absence data and habitat variables. We confirmed musk deer use latrines in forests located at higher elevations (3,200–4,200 m) throughout multiple seasons and years. Himalayan birch (Betula utilis) dominated forest, mixed Himalayan fir (Abies spectabilis), and birch forest were preferred over pure Himalayan fir and blue pine (Pinus wallichiana) forest. Greater crown cover and shrub diversity were associated with the presence of musk deer whereas tree height, diameter, and diversity were weakly correlated. Topographical attributes including aspect, elevation, distance to water source, and slope were also discriminated by musk deer. Over‐ and understory forest management can be used to protect forests likely to have musk deer as predicted by the models to ensure long‐term conservation of this rare deer.

The distribution, status and conservation of the Himalayan Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster in Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary

A survey to understand distribution, status and conservation of Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) was conducted in 2017 using camera traps. A pair of camera traps were installed in five habitat areas based on preliminary occurrence information gathered from local herders, forestry staff and unpublished reports. The camera traps were deployed in the field for five months from June through November 2017. Essential ecological parameters such as vegetation, herb species, slope aspect, elevation and indirect evidence of the species were collected from established transects. The survey results were used to develop musk deer habitat suitability and a species distribution model in MaxEnt.Findings indicate that the musk deer currently inhabit small areas and their distribution is more fragmented than in the past. Intensive competition from unregulated grazing, Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) collection and poaching were observed as major threats to conservation. Initiation of transboundary landscape conservation programs, strengthening of patrolling forest resource collection and grazing are recommended for maintaining and ensuring viable population of the Himalayan Musk Deer in SWS.

Future climate and habitat distribution of Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster)

Change in future climate will either expand, contract or shift the climatic niche of many species and this could lead to shifting of their geographical ranges. Species distribution models identify habitat over a specified area that may have similar ecological characteristics of a species in question. We modelled current and future distribution of endangered Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster), referred here as HMD, in Nepal Himalaya based on two representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) for the year 2050 and 2070 using MaxEnt and MIROC5 global climate models (GCM). Annual mean temperature, altitude, isothermality and land cover were the major contributing variables to the model with area under ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve (AUC) being 0.975. Almost 7.7% (11,342 km2) area of the country is currently suitable for HMD. The model shows that a majority of current suitable habitat will remain stable under both RCPs in the future though 29.47% of the current suitability will be decreased by 2070 under RCP4.5, mostly in the western and far western regions. Overall, the shift of habitat shows a longitudinal pattern. Existing protected areas (PAs) account for 52.6% of the total suitable habitat area, and shows variability of changes in suitability under both RCPs in the future. Initiation of trans-boundary conservation programs could offset the likely climate change impact on HMD habitat in Nepal and adjoining native Himalayan ranges.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Himalayan Musk Deer, Moschus leucogaster, with phylogenetic implication

Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus leucogaster) is a species of genus Moschus of the family Moschidae. The species is listed as an Endangered (EN) species by the IUCN red list of threatened animals. And it also has been listed as EN by the red list of China’s vertebrates. We provide a complete mitogenome of M. leucogaster and examine its phylogenetic position with other seven Artiodactyla species. The complete mitogenome is a circular molecule of 16,431 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosome RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and one non-coding regions. Using Bayesian phylogenetic methods, we constructed a phylogenetic tree and demonstrated M. leucogaster was a sister relationship to M. chrysogaster. This report provides basic data to conservation genetics and evolution for this EN species.

Selection of latrine sites by Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster) in Neshyang Valley, Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

ABSTRACTMusk deer is threatened by poaching for musk pod and habitat fragmentation. The species is endangered within its distribution range including Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Mongolia, China, Korea and Russia. In Nepal, the deer is confined to protected areas throughout the Himalaya. It is a solitary and shy forest dweller with a crepuscular activity pattern. It prefers and repeatedly uses one or more specific defecation sites. Such behaviour is believed to function in chemical communication among individuals. This study was conducted in Neshyang valley in the Annapurna Conservation Area, and aims to evaluate how musk deer selects the latrine site in its habitat taking into account both biotic and abiotic factors. In order to achieve this aim, we laid out a total of 23 transects of 500 m length throughout the study area. Within each transect, 20 m × 20 m nested structured quadrats were located at an interval of 100 m. We found that musk deer preferred to use latrine sites in fir forest while they avoid both blue pine forest and open areas. Furthermore, distance from water sources and mixed forests have a crucial role in selecting latrine sites by musk deer.

Seasonal habitat use in three species of wild ungulates in Sikkim Himalaya

Ungulates face increasing seasonal fluctuations in climate and forage availability with increasing latitude. While ungulates in the temperate regions address this by migrating across latitude and elevation, the strategies used by ungulates in the sub-tropical mountains is very little studied. We examined the influence of season, elevation, aspect and slope on the use of habitat by three species of ungulates in the Himalaya. The study area, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary in Sikkim in India, covered 31km2. We deployed camera traps in 16 trails in an elevation range of 3000m to 4200m and used photo-captures in weeklong sessions as indicator of habitat use during the winter and post-winter during 2011–12. We used zero-inflated negative binomial regression in a model selection approach and model averaged parameter estimates to examine the relative influence of covariates on photo-captures. Zero captures or species absence was closely associated with winter and more northern aspects in the Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), higher elevation in the Himalayan goral (Naemorhedus goral) and both winter and more northern aspects in the Himalayan serow (Capricornis thar). The non-zero photo-captures increased with elevation and decreased with northerly aspects in musk deer, decreased with increasing elevation in goral, while no pattern was evident in serow. Thus, the three species have different strategies to deal with drastic seasonal changes: goral is a resident at low elevations, musk deer is a commuter between aspects at higher elevations, and serow is probably a migrant between high and low elevations. The lack of sampling ≪3000m, might have been the reason for low photo-captures of serow, especially in winter. Overall, we had few captures for all species due to the use of a limited number of cameras. This probably accounts for large standard errors of parameter estimates in the count models.

Dietary composition, breadth, and overlap between seasonally sympatric Himalayan musk deer and livestock: Conservation implications

Livestock in high altitudes of Nepal and elsewhere, frequently and freely, use potential habitat of native wildlife for foraging. Such intrusion of ecologically similar domestic species is supposed to negatively impact the resident wildlife via ‘perceived’ and/or ‘real’ competitive interactions. Hence, assessment of dietary composition and overlap between herbivores is crucial to gain insight into the potential impacts via resource exploitation by foraging livestock. Also, evaluation of dietary composition of resident wildlife across seasons is important to decipher their seasonal resource needs. Within this context, microhistological technique, that makes use of fecal pellet for identification of plant species through comparison with reference slides of plant materials in the area, was used to assess dietary composition, breadth, and overlap between seasonally sympatric Himalayan musk deer and livestock in Nepal Himalaya. Musk deer and livestock were found to have significantly different dietary consumption and that partition was contributed by different species; meaning different plant species were associated to the diets of these two groups. Of notable, however, was a considerable ‘number’ of species (i.e., species richness) shared in diets by musk deer and livestock raising a concern of unchecked number of livestock with a potential to exploit and reduce the availability of shared plant species with musk deer. Also, seasonal dietary composition of musk deer significantly varied, with increased dietary breadth in winter, suggesting a potential for intraspecific competition for forage in winter because of limited availability of resources mediated by retarded growth and harsh conditions.

Modeling and mapping the current and future climatic-niche of endangered Himalayan musk deer

Identification of geographical space enveloped by suitable climatic conditions (i.e., climatic niche) that support species survival over space and time is crucial in conservation biogeography. Numerous algorithms (e.g., Maxent, GARP) with increasing accuracy have been devised and are being employed to overcome the challenges of forecasting climatic niche of species with incomplete information. The current study was conducted to map the distribution of current and future climatic niche of endangered Himalayan musk deer, a species endemic to Asia. Maxent and GARP modeling algorithms were individually employed to forecast current and future climatic niche of the species using randomly collected occurrence records of the species and bioclimatic variables with 30″ resolution from ‘WorldClim’ datasets. Both the modeling processes performed optimally with regard to AUC and TSS values and forecasted an increase/expansion of climatically-suitable geographical space in the future. A final climatic niche distribution map was produced by combining the binary maps generated from each of the processes to produce a relatively realistic and potentially accurate distribution of climatic niche of the species over space and time. Conservation of forecasted suitable geographical space is recommended and future survey efforts for potentially unexplored populations of the species in the forecasted suitable area are suggested.

Where are they? Where will they be? In pursuit of current and future whereabouts of endangered Himalayan musk deer

Conservation and management of environmentally suitable areas, that support survival and persistence of species, are keys to protect wildlife in their natural habitat. Populations of Himalayan musk deer Moschus leucogaster, an endemic species in Asia, are listed as endangered in the IUCN red list, requiring immediate conservation actions before their extinction in the wild. In order to model and map the current and future (under projected climate change settings) climatically-suitable area for the species, Maxent modeling technique, that requires presence-only records, was employed. As predictors, we extracted 19 bioclimatic variables from ‘WorldClim’ database with a ∼1km spatial resolution and used 10 uncorrelated bioclimatic variables as inputs. As indicated by a high area under ROC curve (AUC) value (>0.9), Maxent well performed and predicted climatically-suitable habitat for the species along the Hindukush Himalaya, where the species is known to occur. Annual mean temperature appeared to most influence the distribution of potential habitat for the species. An expansion of species’ habitat was noticed in the Indian and Tibetan part of species range, suggesting a potential future effect of climate change on the species distribution. The findings of this study could assist wildlife managers in devising conservation plans for the current and future conservation of the species in the context of climate change. This is the first study to model and map the current and future distribution of the species in its range.

Habitat selection by endangered Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) and impacts of livestock grazing in Nepal Himalaya: Implications for conservation

Habitat management within and outside protected areas is a key to effective conservation of wildlife. This is particularly vital for declining wildlife populations within the boundary of conservation areas, while sharing their potential habitat range with foraging livestock. In an effort to understand the habitat selection by Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) and explore any potential impacts of livestock grazing, we conducted the present study in a conservation area of central Nepal Himalaya. We recorded data on musk deer and livestock presence and absence (based on signs of fecal pellet, footprint, and resting site) along the elevational transect with associated topographic features (elevation, slope, aspect, distance to water, and vantage point distance) and vegetation features (tree spp., shrub spp., herb spp., and canopy-cover). Using logistic regression model we found that elevation, aspect, canopy-cover, and tree spp. in the area significantly affect the likelihood of habitat selection by musk deer. In particular, they selected the southern aspect of the area with elevation≥3529m, canopy-cover≥42%, and with stands of Pinus spp. and Abies spp. Slope and canopy-cover significantly affected the foraging area selection by livestock. They selected the gentler slopes in the northern aspect of the area with altitude<3529m and canopy-cover<42%. Also, presence of one group of herbivore (i.e. musk deer and livestock) was not found to affect the likelihood of habitat selection by the other group. These independent habitat selections are possibly the responses to morphological and behavioral adaptations than to impacts and interactions between these two groups of herbivores. We suggest to avoid any disturbances and livestock grazing on the area that disrupt the resources and conditions likely selected and occupied by musk deer population.

The Distribution, Population Status, and Wildlife Product Trade of Himalayan Musk Deer in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaste leucogaster) is an IUCN Red List Endangered species that reaches its western range limit in Pakistan, although its distribution or population size is unknown. Here, we mapped its distribution, described habitat preferences, estimated population sizes, recruitment and mortality, and reported the market values of musk deer wildlife products. We used two approaches: analyzing local wisdom (traditional ecological knowledge) through the use of questionnaires, and conducting confirmatory field surveys of selected areas. Questionnaire respondents indicated musk deer sightings in 28 of 84 localities; mainly in Himalayan dry temperate forests with >20% forest cover. There were an estimated 224-363 individuals. When females were observed with offspring, there were often two fawns present, suggesting twinning. Hunting appears largely opportunistic, with approximately 20% of the population killed each year. Musk, skins and canine teeth are sold in markets. Future threats include future human population growth, growing awareness about musk deer product values and political instability.

Non-invasive assessment of fecal progestagens and pregnancy detection in Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster)

The Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), an endangered species, is facing threat of extinction globally due to severe hunting for its musk, and efforts are under way in India to breed them in captivity. However, no information is available on the reproductive cycles of the species. In this study, we aimed to standardize an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) procedure for monitoring pregnancy using fecal samples. We collected fecal samples for 12 months from five captive females maintained at the Musk Deer Research Centre, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, India. Three of these females were observed mating and gave birth, whereas two were seen mating but did not give birth. The gestation periods for the three females were 183, 185, and 199 days, respectively. High-pressure liquid chromatography revealed the presence of immunoreactive pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PdG), progesterone, and 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (5-alpha-pregnane) metabolites in the fecal samples. We used EIAs against progesterone, PdG, and 5-alpha-pregnane to monitor pregnancy. We found PdG EIA to be a highly accurate and sensitive assay compared with the other two assays in detecting pregnancy. We conclude that PdG EIA can be used to diagnose and monitor pregnancy in Himalayan musk deer using fecal steroid analysis, at an early stage of 3 months after mating. This study would help in conservation breeding of musk deer in captivity and in monitoring the reproductive status of the species in the wild.

Plant diversity and composition associated with Himalayan musk deer latrine sites

Ungulate dung deposition may influence plant communities through seed dispersal or by animal disturbance and changes in soil nutrient levels on a small scale. The Himalayan musk deer Moschus chrysogaster uses common pellet defecation sites, often termed as “latrines”. In the present study, we aim to assess the plant species composition, density, richness and diversity of seedlings, saplings and trees, shrubs, graminoids and forbs associated with musk deer latrines. We sampled vegetation at latrine sites, associated adjacent sites (5–10 m from the latrines) and control sites (30 m from the latrine sites within the same vegetation cover) in order to compare plant species composition, density, richness and diversity of the latrine sites with those of adjacent sites and control sites. The diversity of graminoid species was higher at latrine sites, indicating that musk deer may disperse certain grass species and that latrine sites may be important microhabitats for some grasses. Generally, plant species densit...

Diet Overlap Between Wild Ungulates and Domestic Livestock in the Greater Himalaya: Implications for Management of Grazing Practices

We investigated the diet overlap between wild ungulates and livestock (sheep and goats) at Bedini-Ali (20 km2) and Tungnath (9.6 km2) regions in Uttarakhand during 2005–06 and 2003–04, respectively. Diet overlap between Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Sambar (Cervus unicolor), and livestock was carried out at Bedini-Ali, and between Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) and livestock at Tungnath. The diet of wild ungulates and livestock comprised mainly of grasses, sedges, forbs, shrubs, ferns, lichens, and mosses. At Bedini-Ali, of the total 53 food plant species recorded in the study area, 26 (49 %) were consumed by both wild and domestic ungulates, while species recorded in the diet of livestock, musk deer, sambar, and blue sheep were 35, 25, 25 and 17, respectively. Trophic niche overlap showed high percentage of diet overlap between wild ungulates and livestock. In Tungnath, of the 32 species of food plants found in the diet of Tahr and Livestock, 22 (68 %) were found in the diet of both; each having 26 and 28 species, respectively. Musk deer and tahr showed a gradual shift from monocotyledons to comparatively high nutritious dicotyledons in winter. Recovery of wild ungulate population in Bedini-Ali via reduced and intermittent livestock grazing and proper management interventions following the example of Tunganath area is still possible.

Natural Resource Use by Humans and Response of Wild Ungulates

We investigated the levels of natural resource use by humans and the consequent response of wild mountain ungulates in the subalpine and alpine habitats of Bedini-Ali, located in the transition zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, India, from 2005 to 2006. The livestock population in the area, livestock dung density, and the number of trees cut, lopped, and debarked by humans were estimated from permanent plots (n = 312, 8 visits) laid along transects. Information on wild mountain ungulate distribution, abundance, and habitat use was recorded by monitoring transects (n = 7, 1.2–2 km, 217 visits, 325.5 km sampled) and scanning (n = 2, 10 replicates, 60 hours effort). Principal coordinates of overall disturbance were classified into 3 classes: low (< −0.04), moderate (≥ −0.04 to <0), and high (≥ 0). Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) was most commonly encountered [46 sightings, 652 individuals, 10.19 ± 1.20 (number/hour scan)] in the alpine regions, followed by sambar (Cervus unicolor) (15 sightings, 18 individuals, 0.65 ± 0.01/km) and Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) (3 sightings, 3 individuals, 0.0015 ± 0.001/km) in subalpine areas. Abundance estimates for all wild ungulates were lowest during summer when anthropogenic activities were highest. Density of blue sheep and dung density of sambar and musk deer varied seasonally and was inversely related to livestock abundance. Blue sheep were spatially separated from other ungulates on high-altitude steep rocky terrain with low anthropogenic pressure. Sambar and musk deer had to share the subalpine and tree line forested habitats with herded livestock. Prior utilization of food resources in summer by livestock and habitat destruction due to other anthropogenic pressures may have negative impacts on the population of wild mountain ungulates in the study area. We recommend adoption of rotational grazing between Bedini and Ali Meadows, reduction in the number of livestock, and reduction in the period of grazing as mitigation measures.

Assessing the Prospects for Community-Based Wildlife Management: The Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschos chrysogaster) in Nepal

Community-based wildlife management has been the subject of debate in recent years. We argue for more ex ante assessments of community-based wildlife management to distinguish good prospects from poor ones. We develop a conceptual framework, the Collective Resource Management framework, to carry out such evaluations and apply it to a case study community in northeastern Nepal that involves live capture and extraction of musk from the endangered Himalayan musk deer (Moschos chrysogaster). We find that the case study presents a number of favorable conditions conducive to community-based wildlife management but with several serious limitations. For example, the Nepali government must be willing to allow this activity on a legal basis, because wildlife exploitation has not been allowed within national parks historically; however, there are signs this may be changing. More importantly, the presence of a strong tourism industry in the case study community makes alternative economic activities like musk extraction less attractive, in comparison to poorer regions of Nepal where there is no tourism. The Collective Resource Management evaluation approach shows promise as a structured method to check the viability of community-based wildlife management projects before they are initiated.

Sequence characterization and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism of the mitochondrial DNA 12S rRNA gene provides a method for species identification of Indian deer

Characterization of species-specific molecular markers and development of a method for identification of Indian deer species is necessary to monitor illegal trade of parts and products for better conservation and management of the endangered species. In this investigation, we characterized the 12S rRNA gene sequence for differentiation of Indian deer species and developed a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)-based method for their identification. Universal primers were used for the amplification of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene from genomic DNA of chital or spotted deer, hog deer, barking deer, sika deer, musk deer and sambar. PCR products of chital, hog deer and Himalayan musk deer were cloned and sequenced for the first time. Among the Indian deer species, more than 90% similarity was observed in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. The sequences of the above deer species were restriction mapped with the help of Lasergene (DNAstar Inc., Madison, WI, USA). PCR amplicon of these deer species were subjected to restriction digestion with Rsa1, Dde1, Bsr1 and BstSF1 endonucleases that showed a species-specific RFLP pattern. This technique provides a reliable and efficient tool for identification of deer species using a variety of biomaterials.

Conservation status and causes of decline of musk deer (Moschus spp.) in China

Five species of musk deer (Forest musk deer Moschus berezovskii, Alpine musk deer M. sifanicus, Black musk deer M. fuscus, Himalayan musk deer M. chrysogaster and Siberian musk deer M. moschiferus) occur throughout 17 provinces in China, and all were listed in the second category of the Chinese State Key Protected Wildlife List in 1998. Among these species, the Forest musk deer has the widest distribution, and its population is estimated at about 100,000–200,000 individuals in the wild. Additionally, there are about 100,000 Alpine musk deer and 2000 Siberian musk deer. As for the Black musk deer and Himalayan musk deer, which occur only in parts of Yunnan Province and Tibet, their populations remain unknown but they can be estimated to be rare due to their narrow and limited distribution. Furthermore, there are some 1900 musk deer kept in farms in China. Generally, the musk deer population has been declining due to over-hunting for musk and to loss of habitats. However, the Chinese government is greatly concerned with wildlife protection today. A series of laws and regulations have been launched and many natural reserves and national parks have been established as refuges for this animal, most of which, are within the musk deer's range, and should have positive effects for musk deer conservation.