By Malaka Rodrigo A rare dark-coated Spotted Deer, popularly known as the ‘Kalu Muwa’, has been sighted once again in the Wilpattu National Park, marking the third known record of this unusual colour variation in the park. The unusual-looking deer with darker coat without clear spots of its brethren’s have was photographed by Heshara Aluthge, [...]
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A rare dark-coated Spotted Deer, popularly known as the ‘ Kalu Muwa ’, has been sighted once again in the Wilpattu National Park, marking the third known record of this unusual colour variation in the park.
The unusual-looking deer with darker coat without clear spots of its brethren’s have was photographed by Heshara Aluthge, drawing attention to one of the less commonly observed colour variations among Sri Lanka’s wildlife.
Rare sighting: The dark-coated Spotted Deer. Pic by Heshara Aluthge
Unlike the familiar golden-brown coat with distinctive white spots of the Spotted Deer ( Axis axis ), this animal displays an unusually dark coat, making it stand out from the other members of its species. The sighting is particularly interesting because Wilpattu has previously recorded similar encounters, including one documented in 2017 by conservationist and wildlife photographer Kithsiri Gunawardane.
Mr.Gunawardane, who photographed the first widely reported melanistic Spotted Deer in Wilpattu, said the latest observation represents the third such record from the national park.
“The 2017 observation was close to Pomparippu area from the western part of the park. There after another melanistic fawn was seen a few years ago from Thammanna Wala area close to the Hunuwilagama entrance. This is the third record also from Thammanna Wala,” Mr. Gunawardane told the SundayTimes. He then described seeing the unusual deer for approximately 10 minutes while conducting field observations in the park in 2017.
At the time, the animal had initially puzzled those who encountered it, with some wondering whether it was an immature Sambar or a Hog Deer. However, after examining his photographs, Mr. Gunawardane confirmed that it was a melanistic male Spotted Deer.
The unusual dark coloration is associated with a phenomenon known as melanism, a genetic pigmentation variation characterised by an increased presence or production of the dark pigment melanin in an animal’s skin and hair. This is the same phenomena that causes black leopards.
It is essentially the opposite of albinism, in which melanin production is absent or greatly reduced, resulting in unusually pale or white coloration as per experts. In mammals, coat colour is determined by the type, quantity and distribution of pigments in the hair. An increased production of dark pigment, particularly eumelanin, can result in animals developing coats ranging from dark brown to almost black.
Melanism is reported in several mammalian species, although its occurrence and frequency vary considerably between species and populations. The phenomenon is perhaps best known among leopards, where melanistic individuals are commonly referred to as black panthers.
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Print Edition – The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka
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