NILGIRI TAHR Áøµ¯õk

Nilgiri tahr are found only on the mountains

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in the southern part of the Western Ghats.
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Well-named as varai-aadu or rock goat, they
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live in steep cliffs, open grasslands, and shola
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forest edges. Against the rocks, tahr are
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highly camouflaged, often seen only when
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sky-lined on the ridges. Females and young
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have a grey-brown coat, whereas adult
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males are stone grey with a whitish ‘saddle’
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on their back. Herds of over 100 individuals
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may be seen, foraging on grasses and herbs
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in grasslands and cliffs. The Grass Hills-
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Eravikulam area is the major stronghold of
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this endemic and threatened species.
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îÀì CøÁPÎß ¤µuõÚ EøÓÂh®.
Photos: M Ananda Kumar