Eld’s Deer at Mt Popa National Geopark draw strong visitor interest

Visitors have been continuously travelling to Mount Popa National Geopark, Myanmar’s first nationally designated geopark. Among its attractions, both local and foreign travellers show particular interest in the Eld’s Deer found in the sandalwood forest within the geopark.
As one of the highlights of Mount Popa National Geopark, known for its rich biodiversity and scenic landscapes, the Eld’s Deer draw special attention from visitors. The visitors can also enjoy exploring the green forests, various bird species and wildlife, oasis-like lakes, picturesque mountain scenery, sandalwood forests, medicinal plants, natural volcanic features of the extinct volcano, and rare animals such as the Eld’s Deer and the dusky leaf monkey.
“During the upcoming long public holiday, as children will have finished their examinations, we expect a heavy flow of visitors to Popa. In previous holidays as well, there was a continuous arrival of travellers climbing Mount Popa and visiting the sandalwood forest of Eld’s Deer. Most visitors go up Mount Popa, have meals at resorts, and then visit the sandalwood forest to feed the deer and others, take photographs, and enjoy the natural scenery. In Mount Popa National Geopark, the most visited sites are Geosite 1: Mount Popa Taung Kalat, Geosite 6: Herbal Plantation and Science Gallery, and Geosite 7: Sandalwood Forest and Myanmar’s Golden Deer Farm. We warmly invite visitors to come during the holidays,” said Daw Khin Myo Htwe, staff officer of Mount Popa National Geopark.
Eld’s Deer are even-toed ungulate mammals classified under the order Artiodactyla, family Cervidae, and species Cervus eldi, with three recognized subspecies. They were first recorded in 1838 by British army officer Percy Eld in the Manipur Valley of India, and the species was named “Eld’s Deer” after him. As their population has declined and they face the threat of extinction, Eld’s Deer are being protected at the national level. They are found in Myanmar and India, while a related subspecies, Cervus eldi siamensis, is found in China, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, where declining populations have led to captive breeding efforts. The golden deer are protected in Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary, Alaungtaw Kathapha National Park and Mount Popa National Geopark in Myanmar.
Habitats vary among species. In Myanmar, Eld’s Deer are found in laterite indaing forest, dry forest, and deciduous forest. In India, they live in marshy forests, while in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, they are found in deciduous forests. Mount Popa Geopark opens daily, and the local and foreign visitors can observe the park and Eld’s Deer. — Thitsa (MNA)/KTZH

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