The Nilgiri Tahr (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae: Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) in the Agastyamalai range, Western Ghats, India: population status and threats
<p>The Nilgiri Tahr (<em>Nilgiritragus hylocrius </em>Ogilby, 1838) has not been comprehensively surveyed in the southern Western Ghats, India. Here we present results of a survey conducted in 2012 and 2013 in 25 sites where Nilgiri Tahr was reported in Agastyamalai range south of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society
2016-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Threatened Taxa |
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| Online Access: | http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/2542 |
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| author | Ponniah Hopeland Jean-Philippe Puyravaud Priya Davidar |
| author_facet | Ponniah Hopeland Jean-Philippe Puyravaud Priya Davidar |
| author_sort | Ponniah Hopeland |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>The Nilgiri Tahr (<em>Nilgiritragus hylocrius </em>Ogilby, 1838) has not been comprehensively surveyed in the southern Western Ghats, India. Here we present results of a survey conducted in 2012 and 2013 in 25 sites where Nilgiri Tahr was reported in Agastyamalai range south of the Shencottah gap. The objectives of the survey were to assess population status; evaluate threats and propose conservation measures. In each site the geographical coordinates were noted. If Nilgiri Tahr (=Tahr) were sighted, the number and herd structure were recorded. Indirect signs of Tahr presence such as faecal pellets and feedback from local informants were noted in sites with no direct sightings of Tahr. The total sightings were 247 Tahr in 10 sites, and indication of Tahr presence in seven sites. Only two populations viz. Kalamalai-Varraiattumudi and Muthukulivayal-Balamore were large (>30 individuals). Tahr were not present in eight sites: of which four had earlier records of Tahr presence, and the other four had no prior data. There was a significant positive association between percentage of young (kids and yearlings) and number of Tahr sighted. Illegal hunting was widespread in the past, and continues to be a serious threat. Loss of Tahr grazing habitat to successional processes resulting in increased tree cover, is a long term threat that could increase with climate change. A landscape level management plan to reconnect small populations, rehabilitate Tahr in sites where they have disappeared, use fire to restore short grass habitats, and stringent curb on illegal hunting is required for the long term viability of the Nilgiri Tahr in this region. </p><div> </div> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T23:54:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d37447925da74f878b7eaa810880f7e5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0974-7893 0974-7907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T23:54:54Z |
| publishDate | 2016-06-01 |
| publisher | Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Threatened Taxa |
| spelling | doaj.art-d37447925da74f878b7eaa810880f7e52022-12-22T02:23:56ZengWildlife Information Liaison Development SocietyJournal of Threatened Taxa0974-78930974-79072016-06-01868877888210.11609/jott.2542.8.6.8877-88821929The Nilgiri Tahr (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae: Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) in the Agastyamalai range, Western Ghats, India: population status and threatsPonniah Hopeland0Jean-Philippe Puyravaud1Priya Davidar2Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Pondicherry 605014, IndiaSigur Nature Trust, Cheetal Walk, Chadappati, Mavinhalla P.O., Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu 643223, IndiaDepartment of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Pondicherry 605014, India<p>The Nilgiri Tahr (<em>Nilgiritragus hylocrius </em>Ogilby, 1838) has not been comprehensively surveyed in the southern Western Ghats, India. Here we present results of a survey conducted in 2012 and 2013 in 25 sites where Nilgiri Tahr was reported in Agastyamalai range south of the Shencottah gap. The objectives of the survey were to assess population status; evaluate threats and propose conservation measures. In each site the geographical coordinates were noted. If Nilgiri Tahr (=Tahr) were sighted, the number and herd structure were recorded. Indirect signs of Tahr presence such as faecal pellets and feedback from local informants were noted in sites with no direct sightings of Tahr. The total sightings were 247 Tahr in 10 sites, and indication of Tahr presence in seven sites. Only two populations viz. Kalamalai-Varraiattumudi and Muthukulivayal-Balamore were large (>30 individuals). Tahr were not present in eight sites: of which four had earlier records of Tahr presence, and the other four had no prior data. There was a significant positive association between percentage of young (kids and yearlings) and number of Tahr sighted. Illegal hunting was widespread in the past, and continues to be a serious threat. Loss of Tahr grazing habitat to successional processes resulting in increased tree cover, is a long term threat that could increase with climate change. A landscape level management plan to reconnect small populations, rehabilitate Tahr in sites where they have disappeared, use fire to restore short grass habitats, and stringent curb on illegal hunting is required for the long term viability of the Nilgiri Tahr in this region. </p><div> </div>http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/2542EndangeredKalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger ReserveKanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, IndiaTahr population statusthreatsWestern Ghats. |
| spellingShingle | Ponniah Hopeland Jean-Philippe Puyravaud Priya Davidar The Nilgiri Tahr (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae: Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) in the Agastyamalai range, Western Ghats, India: population status and threats Journal of Threatened Taxa Endangered Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, India Tahr population status threats Western Ghats. |
| title | The Nilgiri Tahr (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae: Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) in the Agastyamalai range, Western Ghats, India: population status and threats |
| title_full | The Nilgiri Tahr (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae: Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) in the Agastyamalai range, Western Ghats, India: population status and threats |
| title_fullStr | The Nilgiri Tahr (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae: Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) in the Agastyamalai range, Western Ghats, India: population status and threats |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Nilgiri Tahr (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae: Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) in the Agastyamalai range, Western Ghats, India: population status and threats |
| title_short | The Nilgiri Tahr (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae: Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) in the Agastyamalai range, Western Ghats, India: population status and threats |
| title_sort | nilgiri tahr mammalia cetartiodactyla bovidae nilgiritragus hylocrius ogilby 1838 in the agastyamalai range western ghats india population status and threats |
| topic | Endangered Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, India Tahr population status threats Western Ghats. |
| url | http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/2542 |
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