Imphal, April 15 -- Manipur's state animal, the brow-antlered deer (scientific name Rucervus eldii eldii), locally called Sangai deer, a globally endangered species, is a major attraction for visitors at the Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroishemba in the Imphal West district.

The zoo was opened to the public on the occasion of the Manipur Meitei Hindus' New Year/Chieraoba 2025, celebrated on Monday.

The Sangai deer is a unique subspecies found only in the Loktak Lake region of Manipur and is critically endangered.

The Sangai is a distinctive deer with long brow tines on its antlers and is also called the "Dancing Deer" due to its hopping gait on the floating vegetation and is a medium-sized deer, with uniquely distinctive antlers, with e...