An endangered species of red deer found only in Kashmir has made a rapid comeback in the past year due to a decline in violence and conservation efforts, wildlife officials said on Tuesday.

Known for its magnificent antlers with 11 to 16 points, the State Animal of Kashmir once numbered about 5,000 animals in the beginning of the 20th century but dwindled to as low as 150 deer by 1970. The population of the hangul, also known as the Kashmir stag, increased by more than 50% in one year.

(Read the good news in Reuters)

(Photo, Kashmir Stag: Free Creative Commons license)