This species is found near the tree line in Rhododendron and coniferous forests, forest-edge and rocky ridges at high elevations (2,600-4,200 m asl). This is a poorly-known form; all life-history attributes are likely similar to those of the Alpine Musk Deer (M. chrysogaster).

This species occurs in China (northwestern Yunnan and southeastern Tibet), northern Myanmar, northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh), Bhutan and eastern Nepal (Grubb 2005). It is reported at elevations of 2,600-4,200 m asl. Within Yunnan, China, it is distributed in Gongshan, Fugong and Bijiang counties (Wang unpublished data 2008).

This species is listed on CITES Appendix II in China, and on Appendix I in the other countries within its range. It is on the China Red List as Critically Endangered (A1acd+B1ab(i,ii,iii)), and the China Key List as category II. This species has become nominally protected in Myanmar with the creation Khakaborazi National Park, but enforcement of hunting has a long way to go (Than Zaw and J.W. Duckworth pers. comm.).