The Nilgiri Tahr is an endangered ungulate (large mammal with hooves), which is the state animal of Tamil Nadu. Herbivorous in nature, they prefer grassland habitats with steep rocky hills and are endemic to the Nilgiri hills and other parts of the Tamil Nadu-Kerala Western Ghats.
These goat-like mammals are closely related to sheep. The body is broad and sturdy, and the fur is coarse and bristle-like. The curly sharp horns vary in length depending on the gender. Males grow longer horns than females and can measure up to 40 cm. They also grow darker as they mature and are bulkier and taller than the females. Some healthy members can weigh up to 100 kg and attain a shoulder height of 100 cm. In contrast to their dark-coloured bodies, male Tahrs develop a light grey patch on their backs that look like natural saddlebacks!
The Eravikulam National Park in Kerala has the highest density and largest living population of the Nilgiri Tahrs, second to which is the Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu.
One may find these cliff climbers only in restricted ranges, but their role in balancing the ecosystem is undeniable.
As with the other endangered species, the Nilgiri Tahrs, too, are subject to constant threats such as poaching, livestock overgrazing, and encroachment of different animal species into their habitats, which is why their global population has considerably dwindled to about 2000 or 3000 in number.
Picture Credit : Google
