The Afghan fanged deer (also known as the Kashmir musk deer), which is renowned for its long vampire-like fangs, continues to exist in the country's Nuristan Province, nearly 70 years since its existence in the area was last confirmed.
In the latest edition of Oryx, researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) reported recent sightings of the endangered Afghan fanged deer in the rocky eastern forests of Nuristan.
At least five sightings of the infamous Afghan fanged deer was reported; including one solitary male and a solitary female, as well as a female and her offspring. The researchers say it was impossible to take photographic evidence of the presence of the deers as they were discrete and difficult to spot.
The Afghan musk deer is one of seven deers native to the Asian region, which are prized for their scent glands.
The last officially recorded sighting of the Afghan musk deer occurred on 13th, May 1948, by Danish explorer Knut Paludan. He described the animal as being "about the same size as a roe deer, greyish like a roe in winter, but the hindquarters were not snow white; head small, narrow; antler or horn not even seen."
Although there have been several difficulties with documenting the presence of the Afghan musk deer and other animals in the region, conservationists continue to work with locals to monitor the country's ecosystem.
The Afghan musk deer is regarded as an endangered animal. Poachers have targeted the Afghan musk deer in the past for its scent gland, which is reportedly worth a huge sum.
The deputy director of WCS Asia Program, Peter Zahler, who described the Afghan musk deer as one of the country's "living treasures" has highlighted the need to protect the specie.
"This rare species, along with better known wildlife such as snow leopards, are the natural heritage of this struggling nation. We hope that conditions will stabilize soon to allow WCS and local partners to better evaluate [the] conservation needs of this species."
The Afghan fanged deer uses its long projecting tooth and its priced scent glands for defense and also to attract the opposite sex during mating season.
