Sangai, the dancing deer in danger of getting homeless

A critically-endangered species of deer, which has taught itself to walk using only two legs for fear of sinking in the floating biomass of Loktak lake here, is on the verge of losing its last home in the world, warn experts.
   
Made up of continuous floating biomass vegetation, the Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) situated inside the lake is the only remaining natural habitat of the 'Sangai', also known as the 'dancing deer' for its unique artistic manoeuvring abilities inside the fragile swamp.
   
However, negotiating the world's only national floating park located 53 km from here in Bishnupur district is getting dangerous for the brow-antlered deer, whose population is estimated to be less than a hundred.
   
"Not only has the size of the biomass or 'phumdies' been decreasing over the last few years but its buoyancy and thickness is also getting reduced by the day. The chances of 'Sangais' getting drowned have increased manifold as the capacity of the KLNP to support its weight has decreased," environmentalist R K Ranjan said.
   
At places the 'phumdies' have become as thin as one metre. If a Sangai steps on it in search for food or shelter, the 'phumdy' might not be able to sustain its weight leading to its drowning, he says.
   
This has also restricted the mobility of the elegant deer, increased in-breeding, and made it compete with other wildlife for food, admits Manipur's deputy conservator of forests L Joykumar Singh.
   
Inside the park spread across an area of 40 sq km, the area deemed safe for 'Sangai' is restricted to merely 9.5 sq km.