This species is native to SE Asia. R. e. eldii (Sangai or Manipur deer) is the only subspecies restricted to India, rest all other subspecies are extralimital. As the name suggests this subspecies is distributed only in Manipur, represented by a single population restricted to Keibul Lamjao National Park. This species is well adapted to wetland ecosystem and in fact it takes to water during dry seasons. It is a gregarious species forming medium-sized herds and active during day as well as night. It feeds primarily on grasses, wetland plants, and sometimes crops. 

Conservation Status:

This species is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/)


Accoding to IUCN Red List assessment, population of this species is declining all over its range. The current estimate of its global population predicts less than 700 individuals inclusive of all subspecies, whereas population of Sangai is estimated to be 180 mature individuals. The major threat to its survival come from habitat loss and fragmentation owing to anthropogenic activities like residential and commercial development, expansion of agriculture, and logging. Another major threat comes from hunting and trapping for antlers and fur.