gaur

The gaur (Bos gaurus), also known as the Indian bison, is a large wild cattle native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the largest living bovine species, with adult males weighing up to about 1,500 kilograms and females somewhat less. The coat is dark brown to black, often with a pale patch on the hindquarters; the animal has a high shoulder hump, a long dewlap, and in males, horns that curve outward and upward.

Gaur inhabit forests and grasslands across parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, though numbers are fragmented across protected areas. They prefer rugged terrain with access to water and forage, and may occur at elevations up to around 2,000 meters.

Socially, gaur typically form herds led by adult females; males commonly form bachelor groups or live alone. They are herbivorous, feeding mainly on grasses but also leaves, shoots, fruit, and crops near human settlements. Reproduction is seasonal or year-round depending on region; gestation lasts about 270 days, usually giving birth to a single calf that is nursed for several months. Sexual maturity occurs after a few years.

The gaur is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with ongoing population declines attributed to habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching for meat and horns, and human–wildlife conflict. Conservation actions include habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and transboundary cooperation, with remaining populations concentrated in protected areas and national parks. In some contexts, domesticated or semi-domesticated forms related to the gaur are referred to as mithun or gayal.