Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) lives in mountain grasslands across Southern India. It feeds on grass and leaves. Its conservation status is Endangered.
Fascinating facts about the Nilgiri Tahr
- A male Nilgiri tahr can tip the scales at 100 kg, about the weight of a small motorcycle, while standing just a meter tall at the shoulder. Their curved horns can stretch 40 cm, roughly the length of a school ruler. Size gives them the power to dominate steep cliffs, a key edge in their rugged mountain world.
- These goats roam a 400 km stretch of the Southern Western Ghats, from the Nilgiri peaks down to the Anamalai hills, yet they cling to elevations between 1,200 and 2,600 m like high-rise apartments for wildlife. In 2025 they were even spotted at 270 m, the lowest ever recorded, showing surprising adaptability when habitats shift.
- From a near-extinction low of only a few hundred individuals at the end of the 20th century, the population rose to 3,122 in 2015 and 2,655 in 2025. Though numbers slipped slightly, the rise from the brink proves that focused protection can pull a species back from the edge of disappearance.
- Genetic studies place the Nilgiri tahr's split from its sheep relatives about 2.7-5.2 million years ago, and a further divide between northern and southern groups 1.5 million years ago across the Palakkad Gap. This deep evolutionary history makes each population a living archive of ancient mountain ecosystems.
- During the monsoon-driven breeding rush, females give birth mainly in January-February, and a 2025 survey found a sex ratio of 49 males per 100 females with a young-to-female ratio of 50 to 100.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSouthern India
HabitatMountain grasslands
DietGrass and leaves
About the Nilgiri Tahr
In the mist-shrouded mountains of southern India, the Nilgiri Tahr navigates its domain with sure-footed agility, its stocky frame and curved horns a testament to its remarkable adaptability in this rugged terrain. As it moves through the rocky outcrops and grassy slopes, its shaggy coat glistens with dew, and its eyes gleam with a quiet intelligence, a reflection of the tahr's enduring presence in this landscape. With each deliberate step, the Nilgiri Tahr embodies a profound connection to its native habitat, a bond that has been forged over centuries, yet is now precariously threatened by the forces of human activity.
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