NILGIRI TAHR
Why in News?
A joint census in Kerala and Tamil Nadu reports a population of 2,668 Nilgiri Tahrs.
About Nilgiri Tahrs:
- Nilgiri Tahr is the only mountain ungulate in southern India amongst the 12 species present in India.
- Nilgiri Tahr is also known as Nilgiri Ibex.
- These are stocky goats with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane.
- Both sexes have curved horns, which are larger in the males.
- The Adult males of Nilgiri Tahr species develop a light grey area or “saddle” on their backs and are hence called “Saddlebacks”
- It is endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and the southern portion of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala (Eravikulam National Park holds their largest contiguous population)
- State animal of Tamil Nadu
- Conservation Status:
- Listed as Endangered – IUCN Red List
- Protected under Schedule I – Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Threats:
- Habitat loss due to plantations, infrastructure development and land-use change.
- Poaching
- Climate change
- Conservation efforts:
- Project Nilgiri Tahr (Tamil Nadu,2023)
Nilgiri Tahr Day (October 7)
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