The Nilgiri Tahr population in the 6 Tahr
landscapes( Latest review,Daniels et al 2006)
Mukurthi 45, Western Catchement 42, Nadgani 201,
Bangitapal 334, Silent Valley Ankinda Malai 30, Siruvani hills (Kunjara
malai) 20-60
Nelliampathi Hills (Cruz Malai, Chinna Attu Malai,
Kumul Malai) 25-30, Toslip-parambikulam (Pandaravarai, Kolumbu Malai,
Peerunkundru, Palagkundru) 120, Vengoli Malai, Karumalai Gopuram , Anaimalai
Hills Eastern Slopes
Aliyar, Chetta Guttu, Attakatti, Thadaganachi
Malai, Navamalai 125, Kallar Malai 54, Chadayandu Malai 16, Tanaka Malai 27,
Tanaka Malai (western slope) 6, Usi Malai 30, Amaravathi slopes, Erumai
Malai 45, Elumalaiyan Koil 80-90,
Eravikulum Rajamalai 700, Tertian’s Plateau 11,
Karukulam 17, Perivurrai-kannimally 4,
Marian Shola Varai 4, Karian Varai 3, Koravan
Thotti 16, Kaluguthorai, Vannathi Odai, Sooriankanal 22, Swamimalai Karadu 20,
Attu Mottai 9, Padicattu Metla 20, Mudal Metla 27, Plot no28 - 9.
Mudaliar Oothu 51, Funnel Vale, Vellakaltheri
15.
Panchamthangi Malai 6, Pechiparai 14, Kalamal 47, Tiruvanamalai Peak 40.
Total : 1950
Update 2010
Division
|
Number of
locations
|
Kanyakumari
|
9
|
KMTR
|
11
|
Thiruvananthapuram (Wildlife)
|
2
|
Thiruvananthapuram
|
1
|
Thirunelveli
|
18
|
Srivilliputhur GS Sanctuary
|
16
|
Theni
|
8
|
Ranni
|
1
|
Anamalai Tiger Reserve
|
41
|
|
1
|
Palnis
|
4
|
Munnar
|
6
|
Nilgiris
|
16
|
Silent valley
|
3
|
Parambikulam –Nelliampathis
|
7
|
Mannarkad, Walayar and Olavakod
|
12
|
Chalakudy, Vazhachal, Malayatur
|
5
|
Total
|
161
|
The recent study by WWF has pegged the population of Nilgiri tahr at 3000 minimum, in the Western Ghats. To be precise the figures computed is 3122. The extensive study discovered some new populations that were elusive till now.
New
Nilgiri tahr populations discovered in the WWF study
Silent
Valley NP
Pathrakadavu - 4
Aatumudi - 1
Koomban - 8
Madamudi - 2
Aatumalai - 35
Nandalamalai
- 15
Kasimalai
- 7
Chengamalai
- 11
Munnar Forest Division
Chokramudi - 10
Grizzled
Giant Squirrel WLS
Kunvengai Mottai - 5
Naaraimoonji Mottai - 5
Sulivarai/ Vengaisilambu - 5
Theni
Forest Division & Megamalai Wildlife
Sanctuary
Vasakku
Malai - 1
Marakkal
Malai - 9
Attiuttu
Malai - 9
Above
Kunderi - 3
Nagamalai - 1
-----------------
Total - 131
-----------------
Past Distribution
According to Schaller (1988) sheep and goats evolved some 15-20 million years ago in the rainforests of Southeast Asia and the genus Hemitragus had spread westwards into Europe during the Pleistocene (c. 1.5 million years ago). The Nilgiri Tahr is amongst the few species of mountain Caprinae (and the only Tahr) adapted to a cold and wet tropical environment.The
Nilgiri Tahr prefers a habitat that is predominantly of grasslands adequately
sheltered by steep rocky cliffs. The habitat receives not less than 1500mm of
rainfall annually and enjoys a short dry season. Such a tropical habitat is
restricted to just 7 high altitude landscapes (that lie between 1200 and 2600m
ASL) in the southern Western Ghats. This endemic species of mountain goat is
therefore limited to a very small geographical area (c. 8o 20’-11o 30’ N; (Davidar,
1978); area that is merely 5% of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot
in India
The
Nilgiri Tahr was formally introduced to the world of science by Ogilby in
1837/1838 (Daniels, 2006). However, the species finds mention in colonial
literature as early as 1790. According to history, during the military manoeuvre
of Arthur Wellesley against Tippu Sultan, the British army marched from
Cumbum-Coimbatore through Devamalai of High Ranges. Enroute, it has been
recorded that the soldiers killed and ate the Tahr as herds were so tame that
they were ‘stuck with bayonets’ (Zacharias, 1999).
Rice
(1984) has mentioned that the Tahr was more widespread in the recent past. It
had apparently occurred in at least 2/3rd of the higher hills of Tamilnadu
suggesting a wider eastward range than present. Further, it had extended north
as far as the southwestern hills of Karnataka till about 50 years ago (Davidar,
1978; Mishra and Johnsingh, 1998) and west into the Wyanaad Plateau in Kerala (Zacharias,
1999). It is also presumed that the populations were 10 to 20 times higher. For
instance, the Palani Hills alone had supported 25,000-30,000 Tahr at the time
that the British invaded the landscape. However, towards the end of the Colonial
Period the total population of the Tahr had already dropped to 4000-5000 (Zacharias,
1999).
Although the Nilgiri Tahr has historically had a much wider distribution and larger population size (Davidar, 1978; Rice, 1984; Daniels, 2006), the present geographical range does not exceed 400km, north-south, spanning the Nilgiri Hills and Kanyakumari Hills in the Western Ghats. Over this short range, and within the 6 identified Tahr landscapes where it presently occurs,18 localities were known to support small to large populations that varied in size between 20 and 550 animals. Estimates made at various times during the past 30 years have placed the population size of the Nilgiri Tahr between 2000 and 2500 over its entire range (Daniels, 2006).
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