Nilgiri Tahr

Nilgiri Tahrs Latest News

Recently, a joint census in Kerala and Tamil Nadu has reported a population of 2,668 Nilgiri tahrs.    

About Nilgiri Tahrs

• The Nilgiri Tahr is a mountain ungulate endemic to the southern part of the Western Ghats. 
• It is also known by the name Nilgiri Ibex or simply Ibex. Locally the animal is called ‘Varayaadu’.
• It is the only mountain ungulate in southern India.

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Features of Nilgiri Tahr

• These are stocky goats with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. 
• The males are found to be larger than the females, and have a darker color when mature. 
• Both sexes have curved horns, which are larger in the males.
• There are facial markings, particularly distinct in mature males.

Habitat and Distribution of Nilgiri Tahr

• It is found in a roughly 400 km stretch in the Western Ghats, which falls in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 
• These tahrs inhabit the open montane grassland habitat of the southwestern ghats montane rain forests ecoregion. 
• At elevations ranging from 1200 to 2600 m, the jungle opens into grasslands interspersed with pockets of stunted forests, known as ‘sholas.’
• The Eravikulam National Park (Kerala) has the highest density and largest surviving population of Nilgiri tahr. 

Conservation Status Nilgiri Tahr

• IUCN Red List: Endangered 
• Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972: Schedule I

Source: TH