Nilgiri Tahr's scientific name, "Nilgiritragus hylocrius," is a species of goat found in the Nilgiri Hills and the southern part of the Western Ghats in the southern Indian provinces of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The animal originated in the Tamil Nadu region, in the neighboring state of Kerala. Also known as Nilgiri Ibex or just Ibex. Locally, the animal is known as 'Varayaadu'. Its closest relatives are "Ovis" sheep. Nilgiri Tahr is different from other Tahr species Himalayan Tahr and Arabian Tahr. Nilgiri Tahrs are sturdy goats with short coats, wages and sharp edges. Males are larger than females and darker in color when mature. Both sexes have curved horns that, for older males, can reach 40 cm for males and 30 cm for females. The female horns are short and narrow. Adult males weigh 80 to 100 kg and are about 100 cm long on the shoulder. Adult females weigh about 50 kg and stand 80 cm tall at the shoulder. Older men had a pale gray spot or "chair" on their back and were therefore called "feces." The Nilgiri Tahr has a short gray or black coat. There are facial features that are especially noticeable in older men, including a dark brown nose separated by black cheeks with a white band descending from the bottom of the horns. Adult females and males tend to darken in color with light underparts. These Tahrans live in the mountainous terrain of the Southwest Ghats Tropical Montane Forest Ecoregion. At an altitude of 1200 to 2600 meters, the vanilla grove opens up in grassy areas covered with stagnant forests, known as "shoals". These grassy areas are surrounded by dense forests on high ground. The Nilgiri Tahrites once lived in these grassy areas of large herds, but poaching in the 19th century reduced their population to 100 at the beginning of the 20th century. Since then, the population has grown slightly to about 2,000. Its distance is 400 km from north to south, and Eravikulam National Park is home to many Nilghri tahr people. Another important focus is in the mountains of Nilgiris, with a small population in the Anamalai Hills, Periyar National Park, Palani Hills and other regions of the western ghats.
Endangered
Nilgiri Tahr is an endangered species listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act 1972 and was considered endangered by the IUCN under the 1994 Red List. Removed from the grasslands of the northwest, highest in the southwest of Karnataka 50 years ago, Tahr is now only found in the 6 highlands. And out of these 6 locations, 18 sites support people from small to large ranging in size from 20 to 550 animals. Estimates made at various times over the last 30 years set the population of the Nilgiri Tahr population between 2000 and 2500 between your range. It is clear that the Nilgiri Tahr came to the brink of extinction in the second half of the 19th century. The early intervention of the former Nilgiri Game Association and the High range Game Association, and modern conservation efforts led by the Wildlife Protection Act of India 1972 have contributed to the partial recovery of species in less than 150 years.
Breeding season
The main breeding season for wild Nilgiri Tahr is from June to August during the rainy season. Pregnancy lasts 6 months. High births occur in January and February. The newborn Tahr is called Kid. At two months old, babies follow their mother, but do not wean themselves until four or six months.
What does Nilghri Tahr eat?
Nilgiri tahrs are herbivores (graminivores, folivores). They eat a variety of grasses, shrubs, leaves, and forbs.
Why were Nilghri Tahr killed?
Rajkumar of the Vaigai Association for Nature and Mountain Ranges (VANAM), in Theni, points out that several tahr habitats are being destroyed due to forest fires and poaching. “Nilgiri tahr meat is of high value. There is no animal protection in many habitats, ”he concluded.
How can we save Nilghri Tahr?
Other proposed conservation measures include adjusting the tahr conservation program; strengthening the Nilgiri tahr Alliance - a team of stakeholders such as tahr experts, tahr site managers, local NGOs and individuals; advanced and additional research; the reclining of tahr in parts of their original list; and usage.
What is the lifespan of Nilghri tahr?
The average lifespan of a Nilgiri Tahr in the wild is estimated to be only three or 3.5 years, although its length may be atleast 9 years.
