Sarcocystosis in a Barasingha deer (Cervus duvauceli branderi)

An adult female hard-ground swamp deer (Barasingha), Cervus duvauceli branderi, was found dead of unknown cause in Kanha National Park. A necropsy of this animal failed to reveal any significant gross lesions. However, histopathologic examination revealed mature sarcocysts of Sarcocystis in the cardiac muscles. The morphology of the sarcocysts was similar to that of different species of Sarcocystis from wild and domestic animals. Final identification of Sarcocystis in this case could not be made. This is the first recorded case of Sarcocystis infection in hard-ground Barasingha deer.