tahr

Tahr is a common name for two species of large, hoofed mammals in the goat-antelope group that inhabit mountainous regions of South Asia. The two living species most often referred to as tahrs are the Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) and the Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius). The Nilgiri tahr is sometimes placed in its own genus, Nilgiritragus, distinct from the Himalayan tahr.

Physically, tahrs are robust mountain ungulates with thick coats suited to cold, high-elevation environments. Males typically have long, curved horns and a more pronounced mane, while females have shorter horns. Coat color varies by species and season, ranging from brown to gray.

Habitat and range differ between the two species. The Himalayan tahr occupies alpine and subalpine scrub and grasslands across portions of the Himalayan region, including Nepal, India, and Bhutan, at high elevations. The Nilgiri tahr is endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India, where it inhabits montane grasslands and rocky hills at mid-elevations.

Behavior and ecology: tahrs are herbivores that feed on grasses, herbs, and shrubs. They often form social groups, with female-led herds that include juveniles, while adult males may be solitary or in bachelor groups outside the breeding season. Breeding usually occurs in late winter to spring, with a gestation period around several months, producing typically a single offspring.

Conservation: Nilgiri tahr is listed as endangered by the IUCN due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and other pressures. Himalayan tahr populations face ongoing threats from habitat disturbance and hunting in some areas, though conservation efforts and protected areas have helped stabilize numbers in parts of their range. Tahrs have also been introduced outside their native range, notably the Himalayan tahr in New Zealand, where it is known as the Alpine tahr.