Acc. to a recent census conducted by Tamil Nadu forest department, population of Nilgiri tahr at the Mukurthi National Park has grown by 18% in the last two years, from 480 to 568.
Common name: Saddlebacks (as Adult males develop a light grey area or “saddle” on their backs).
Habitat and distribution:
They are found at high elevations on cliffs, grass-covered hills and open terrain (i.e. open montane grassland habitats at altitudes of 1,200 – 2,600 meters of the South Western Ghats.
Their present distribution is limited to approximately 5% of the Western Ghats in southern India (Kerala and Tamil Nadu).
Eravikulam National Park is home to its largest population.
Population: Around 2,500 in Wild.
Conversation status:
Listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and
Listed as Endangered on IUCN Red List.
Threat: Principal threats are habitat loss (mainly from domestic livestock and spread of invasive plants which leads to diminishing grazing land) and poaching.
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