Observations on Reproductive Performance of Indian Mouse Deer (Moschiola indica) in Captivity

The study reports some observations on reproductive biology of mouse deer (Moschiola indica) maintained under the conservation breeding programme at the Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad. The conservation breeding programme was initiated with 6 individuals that bred in captivity reaching a total of 36 individuals within a three-year period. A total of 50 oestrus episodes were recorded from 11 females that resulted in 31 births. Females first gave birth at age of 304 days (mean = 318.6 ± 15.3 days, n = 5) and had an average gestation period of 154.1 ± 3.7 days. Females showed post-partum oestrus within 6 h of fawning, which resulted in successful mating. The present observations would help in enhancing knowledge on biology and behaviour of the species that can form the basis for its effective management.