A miniature munjac, the smallest deer species has been discovered in the Mimalayan mountains. It is just 60 - 80 cm tall and weigs about 11 kilograms.

A large number of new species of flora and fauna are discovered in the Himalayas today.

Climate change and human induced projects have its impact on the area, so let us hope that they will designate some conservation areas in the region.

This information is from the Globe and Mail nespaper,
August 11, 2009

What a lovely little deer.

Thank you for posting this informatio Vicky.

I found some more information at the following website

http://www.mahalo.com/miniature-muntjac


Miniature Muntjac
The miniature muntjac or "leaf deer" is the oldest and smallest species of deer in the world. The miniature muntjac was discovered in the Myanmar region of the Eastern Himalayas in 1997.http://www.animalinfo.org/species/artiperi/muntputa.htmhttp://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=8EA556F41D022F27E3F0DEC7A7151CE0.tomcat1?fromPage=online&aid=52175

It was originally thought that the tiny deers, measuring between 24 ad 31 inches tall, were baby deers of another species. DNA testing confirmed that the miniature muntjac was a newly discovered species.http://www.myfoxspokane.com/dpp/news/dpgo_Flying_Frog_Discovered_Himalayas_fc_20090810_2905097http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aTSD9qWqKcCE

Thank you for this lovely post.
What a beautiful little deer.

I hope that humans will leave them alone and not be the cause of their extinction.

Sincerely,
Gisele

Thank you Vicky and Inda.

This is such an incredibly lovely little deer.
As Gisele mentioned, let us hope that humans will not be responsible for their extinction, and I believe that climate is another serious factor.

I looked at the website and there seem to be other interesting animals as well in the Himalayas, one being a leaping frog. I will do a bit more research.

Sue

Thank you for your replies, and thank you Inda for the nice colour picture of the little deer.

Love,
Vicky



I found some more information about the Himalayan region

http://iberianature.com/wildwo...g/miniature-muntjac/

350 new species have been found in the Eastern Himalayas in the last 10 years according to a new report (Where Worlds Collide) by WWF, highlighting the need to protect further this still huge but ever shrinking wilderness. New species are being discovered at a rate of 35 a year including the miniature muntjac (Muntiacus putaoensis), also known as the leaf deer, the smallest species of deer in the world, and the Arunachal macaque (Macaca munzala above photo by Anindya Sinha) – the first monkey to be found since 1903. Threats to the Eastern Himalayas, divided between Nepal, Bhutan and parts of China, India, Bangladesh and Burma, include illegal logging, demand for land, poaching, pollution and climate change.

Mark Wright of the WWF notes:

“In the Eastern Himalayas we have a region of extraordinary beauty and with some of the most biologically rich areas on the planet. Ironically, it is also one of the regions most at risk from climate change, as evidenced by the rapid retreat of the glaciers, and only time will tell how well species will be able to adapt – if at all.”

How wonderful ty have discovered this newest addition to our family.
Thank you for the post Vicky.

I also hope that humans will not disturb or destroy this very unique species.

Love,
yoko

So interesting! May the awareness grow that we have to do all that is in our power to preserve Nature's gifts and the animals that populate our planet.

Love,
Margherita :2heart:

Thank you yoko and Margherita.

I hope that humans will respect all life on Earth,
and protect it.

Love,
Vicky

quote:

I’m open to love
my heart invites you to dance
come share my delight


senryu by Margherita