Rampant poaching, neglect by authorities and a 17-year-old separatist rebellion in the region took its toll on the population of the majestic-looking deer which numbered in the region of about 900 in 1989, experts said.

"Hangul is a critically endangered species. There has been a steady decline in the hangul population from 2004 to 2008," the census report said.

The census was carried out in March this year by Kashmir's wildlife department and the Wildlife Institute of India.

Poachers continue to kill the deer for its antlers, which fetch a good price on the international black market.

"Hangul hunting continued even during militancy, as the animals come down to plains in winters," said Shameem Ahmad, who lives near Dachigam sanctuary.

A.K. Srivastava, Chief Wildlife Warden of Jammu and Kashmir said apart from a captive breeding plan, India would launch a Hangul Conservation Plan to preserve the endangered animal.

"It (hangul) assumes a great significance as the only Asiatic survivor of the red deer," the census report added.