Srinagar, March 24 -- Wildlife authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have concluded the population census of the union territory's royal stag - Hangul - a critically endangered species of red deer found only in the Valley, with hopes of a further increase in the animal's numbers.

The activity held from March 18 to 22 inside Dachigam National Park and its outskirts involved around 400 wildlife and forest experts, field staff, academics and scholars from educational institutions, including SKUAST-Kashmir, University of Kashmir, Amar Singh College Srinagar, Women's College MA Road, Srinagar, Cluster University, as well as representatives from NGOs . Their observations will now be compiled in coming days to arrive at a definitive number.

"The ex...