PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Ramnagar
Known in India as the Kakar, the Barking Deer may be small in size, but it is remarkable for its alertness and its strong maternal instinct. This shy deer, which gives a dog-like “bark” on sensing danger, is found in the dense forests of the Terai, Shivalik and Himalayan regions. Protected and biodiversity-rich forest areas like Corbett National Park are considered ideal habitats for the species.
A female Barking Deer usually gives birth to a single fawn. After birth, she carefully hides the young one in dense bushes and visits quietly at intervals to nurse it. This is a natural survival strategy to protect the fawn from predators. During this time, the mother remains extremely vigilant, while the fawn feels completely secure in her presence.
This rare and emotional sight of a Barking Deer nursing her fawn is a powerful symbol of the continuous cycle of life in the forest highlighting conservation, care and timeless bond of motherhood.
