Sangai...the dancing deer of Manipur.

 

                                                 The state animal of Manipur

The Sangai is an endemic, rare and endangered Brow antlered deer found only in Manipur. It is the state animal of Manipur.Its common name is Manipur Brow antlered Deer and the scientific name  is Cervus eldii eldii. It lives in the marshy wetland in Keibul Lamjao about 45 km from Imphal. Its habitat is located in the Southern parts of the Loktak Lake, which is the largest fresh water Lake, in Eastern India. The habitat of Sangai is now protected as the Keibul Lamjao National Park.

The dancing deer is found in its natural habitat only at Keibul Lamjao National Park over the floating biomass locally called ‘Phumdi’ in the South Eastern part of Loktak Lake.





The endangered species of Manipur    courtesy: KanglaOnline                  
 





Sangai feeds on a variety of water living plants, grasses, herbaceous plants and shoots. It starts grazing usually early morning approximately 4.30 am and generally continue upto 8 am. Sangai bounds the human soul and the nature. The slaying of Sangai breaks  the cordial relationship between human and nature. It is the duty of everyone to conserve this endangered species. Due to its uniqueness, it makes Manipur shine in the entire world.