Nilgiri Tahr Information Website

The world congress on Mountain Ungulates is an event eagerly awaited by Caprinae wildlife biologists and wildlife mangers. Here is good news. The 1^st announcement regarding the 5^th conference is out. It will be held in Andalucia, Spain, from November 10^th to 13th 2009, with a full-day excursion on the 14th.Details will be posted on CSG website soon.

8th May 2008

New Papers by Mr E. Kunhikrishnan

Mr KunhiKrishnan has sent us two new papers on Shola and grasslands.

Please look it up under Shola Forests

New

Distribution and status of the endangered Nilgiri tahr

CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 94, NO. 1, 10 JANUARY 2008

R. J. RANJIT DANIELS

P. S. EASA

MOHAN ALEMBATH

The Chennai edition of The Hindu dated 24 November 2007 carried an article on conservation breeding of endangered mammals. The proposed conservation initiative of the Government of India targets a few species of mammals, including the Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius), that are endemic to the Western Ghats. The article suggests that the population size of the Nilgiri tahr presently stands at3500 and reintroduction of captive-bred animals will improve the conservation status of the species.

The article has certainly reiterated the need for more dedicated conservation efforts on less charismatic species like the Nilgiri tahr. Nevertheless, we contend that both the estimated population size and the proposed conservation strategy presented therein are rather unrealistic.The reasons for our skepticism are presented here.

One of the recent checklists of the world’s extant mammals includes 34species1 of caprine ungulates (goats, sheep and allies). And among the extant caprine ungulates, the Nilgiri tahr has the unique distinction of being the only species that is endemic to tropicalmountains2. The Nilgiri tahr is one of the three species known in the genus Hemitragus.While it is generally accepted that the three species of tahr are the descendants of an extinct Eurasian ancestor2, some biologists believe that the Arabian, Himalayan and Nilgiri tahrs have had varied ancestry and that the Nilgiri tahr shouldbe placed in an endemic monotypic genus,Nilgiritragus3. In spite of the taxonomic uncertainties and debates, the fact that he Nilgiri tahr is a Pleistocene relic inthe Western Ghats2 enhances its conservation value.

During the year 2006, the Wildlife Trust of India (New Delhi) sponsored a short-term survey of the Nilgiri tahr4. Although the duration was only four months, (May–August), the study had several merits. To begin with, it is noteworthy that the 2006survey was the first attempt that was made to assess the habitat, distribution and population size of the Nilgiri tahr over its entire range after a gap of over two decades. Further, with the cooperation andsupport of the Forest Departments ofTamil Nadu and Kerala, the study provided us opportunities to visit some remote localities where there have not beenany recent surveys made (Care Earth and Wildlife Trust of India, unpublished).

The key finding of our recent study is that the population size of the Nilgiri tahr may not be more than 2000 at present(Care Earth and Wildlife Trust of India,unpublished). An analysis of census data for four decades, beginning in 1969,available for Eravikulam National Park,Mukurthi National Park and Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, has suggested that the number of Nilgiritahrs has fluctuated considerably even where the species has enjoyed 75–100years of protection. The discernable trendhas only pointed to population decline in two out of three of the dedicated Nilgiritahr conservation areas4. The primaryr easons for the decline in the number of Nilgiri tahrs are loss of habitat and hunting (Care Earth and Wildlife Trust of India, unpublished).

Historical information available of the geographical range, population size and distribution has suggested that the Nilgiritahr occurred in mid and high elevation hills of southwestern Karnataka, western Tamil Nadu and Kerala2. Over this 400 km range in the southern Western Ghats, there may have been 50,000–100,000Nilgiri tahrs at the time that the Britishinvaded the region. This estimate has been made taking into consideration early reports that in the Palani Hills landscape alone there was a population of 25,000–30,000 (Care Earth and Wildlife Trust ofIndia, unpublished). Hunting and habitat loss soon decimated the Nilgiri tahr that by the turn of the twentieth century the species was on the brink of extinction2.

While it is remarkable that in 100years the population of the tahr has recovered pattern and population trends do not suggest that the species is doing well. For, at present, the Nilgiri tahr is known only from 50 to 60 localities that are distributed over six high elevation landscapes in the Western Ghats of TamilNadu and Kerala, wherein local populations are often in the form of single herds of not more than 10 individuals (CareEarth and Wildlife Trust of India, unpublished). Small and isolated populations of the tahr found throughout the six landscapes are indication that despite fragmentation, degradation and pressures of Poaching, the existing habitats continueto support the species. As much of the available information on the Nilgiri tahr has come from studies that were confined to a few easily accessible localities and familiar populations, little is known about the survival strategies that the species adopts, in isolation, outside the conservation areas.

In the absence of more detailed studies that shed light on the dynamics, including patterns of migration (if any) of the’ marginal’ populations, and the availability and suitability of habitats, attempts to breed and reintroduce the Nilgiri tahr will be premature. Unless dedicated efforts are made to control poaching and improve the extent and quality of habitat, reintroduced animals are unlikely to survive. A conservation strategy that lays emphasis on improving habitat extent and quality, such that the connectivity between marginal and core populations is reestablished within (and possibly between)the landscapes, seems to be the most appropriate intervention at this juncture.

1. Duff, A. and Lawson, A., Mammals of the World: A Checklist, A & C Black, London, 2004.

2. Daniels, R. J. R., The Nilgiri Tahr: An Endemic South Indian Mountain Goat, Macmillan India Ltd, New Delhi, 2006.

3. Ropiquet, A. and Hassanin, A., Mol. Phylogenet. Evol., 2005, 36, 154–168.

4. Daniels, R. J. R., Easa, P. S., Ramkumar, K., Arumugam, R., Mammen, P. and Alembath, M., Paper presented at the Fourth World Congress on Mountain Ungulates, Munnar, 12–15 September 2006 (abstr.).

29th January 08

The first birth of the season has been reported from Eravikulam National Park today. This year the birth has been delayed by 3 weeks. The rutting which synchronises with the onset of monsoon rains, was delayed this year due to erratic rains. This has been reflected in delayed births. The park will now remain closed for 2 months to ensure that there is no disturbance to this endangered species during birth season. The births taper off towards end of February.