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Sambar deer
साम्भर (sambhar)
India's largest deer, dark brown and heavy, with a shaggy neck ruff and three-tined antlers on the stag.
How to recognise it
Much larger and darker than chital, and usually alone or in twos. A single loud honking alarm from deep cover usually means a leopard or tiger is moving.
Protection
Schedule III, Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
Where to see it
Chandigarh
Sambar, nilgai and wild boar dominated the mammals recorded in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary during the November 2025 camera-trap survey with the Wildlife Institute of India.
Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary (in season) · Morni Hills and Tikkar Taal (in season)
Haridwar
In the Chilla range, Wildlife Institute of India surveys in 2004–2007 found about 13–21 sambar per square kilometre, and with chital they made up to 91 per cent of the wild ungulates, the prey base on which tigers were found breeding after the herders left.
Rajaji National Park, Chilla (often)
Ooty & Coonoor
Sambar are the main large prey of leopards and tigers across the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is why their numbers on the downs matter beyond the deer themselves.
Wenlock Downs (often) · Avalanche & Emerald Lakes (Eco-Safari) (often) · Pykara Lake & Falls (in season)