Population Status, Distribution, Threats and Conservation of the Blackbuck, Antilope cervicapra in South Asia: An Updated Review

Abstract

Blackbuck, Antilope cervicapra, is a diurnal ungulate species with distinct sexual dimorphism and spellbinding beauty. Male blackbuck has mesmeric beauty with its unique darker coat, showing the increased intensity of color with age. Blackbuck is endemic to Pakistan, Nepal, India and Bangladesh but now its population is reduced to a few areas. Threats such as hunting, stress, habitat loss, diseases, poaching, road accidents, habitat fragmentation, interspecific competition, predation pressure etc., have reduced the population size of blackbuck to a threatened level. Therefore, different conservation strategies are underway to increment its count for improvement of faunal diversity, tourism development and dispersal of the local culture in South Asia. Captive breeding of species is the most efficacious conservation strategy in South Asia so far. Furthermore, various rules and regulations along with strategies like hormone-mediated conservation by injections of prostaglandin and artificial insemination are assisting the species by increasing its birth rate. Genetic studies, introduction to non-endemic but suitable habitat and religious affiliation of communities also contributed to blackbuck conservation. Current conservation practices are helping to conserve the blackbuck but are associated with a few concerns also, thereby proper management, planning, monitoring of conservation practices is required. Population size, distribution range, threats confronted by species, conservation practi