West Caucasian Tur (Capra caucasica) lives in mountainous terrain across Western Caucasus Mountains. It feeds on grasses and leaves. Its conservation status is Endangered.
Fascinating facts about the West Caucasian Tur
- The West Caucasian tur is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, signalling a very high risk of extinction. Recent surveys estimate that only between 3,000 and 4,000 individuals remain in the wild. This tiny population is shrinking because livestock grazing degrades its alpine pastures, illegal poaching removes animals for meat and horns, and severe winters cause additional mortality. Conservation measures are therefore critical to halt the decline.
- Male West Caucasian turs grow striking scimitar-shaped horns that can reach about 70 cm in length, while the females bear much smaller horns, highlighting the species' pronounced sexual dimorphism. The horns are heavily ridged, giving them a distinctive appearance among mountain goats. Males are also larger overall, standing up to one metre at the shoulder and weighing around 65 kg, compared with the smaller females.
- West Caucasian turs are nocturnal, eating grasses and leaves in the open at night and sheltering during the day. They inhabit rugged mountainous terrain from 800 to 4,000 m above sea level.
- In summer, West Caucasian turs live in herds of around ten individuals. In winter, herd sizes increase to about 20.
- In Russia hunters may legally pursue West Caucasian turs between August and November, a period that coincides with the end of the summer grazing season. By contrast, the species enjoys full protection in Georgia where any form of hunting is prohibited, helping to safeguard the remaining population. Despite legal allowances, the animals still face illegal poaching for meat, skin and horns, adding further pressure to their already endangered status.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeWestern Caucasus Mountains
HabitatMountainous terrain
DietGrasses and leaves
About the West Caucasian Tur
In the rugged, snow-capped mountains of the Caucasus, the West Caucasian Tur navigates its realm with sure-footed agility, its shaggy coat and curved horns a testament to its remarkable adaptability. As it moves through the rocky terrain, its nimble legs barely make a sound on the loose scree, allowing it to traverse the unforgiving landscape with an air of quiet confidence. With its very existence threatened, this elusive creature remains a hauntingly beautiful enigma, its wild spirit still roaming the mountain wilderness.
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