Fleet-footed Tahrs: Lords of the Pinnacles

Tahrs belong to an ancient family of goat-antelopes that perhaps evolved in the Himalayas and spread out to various mountain chains, reaching the Western Ghats and the mountains of the Arabian Peninsula. Due to geological and ecological changes, tahrs and many other species got separated on these mountain chains, resulting in the discontinuous distribution that we see today. Based on morphology, ecology and behaviour, three species of tahrs were recognised: the Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), the Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius), and the Arabian tahr (Hemitragus jayakari). However, Nature has its own taxonomic riddles. Recent genetic studies by A Ropiquet and A Hassanin of Middlesex University, London, published in a paper “Molecular evidence for the polyphyly of the genus Hemitragus (Mammalia, Bovidae)”, in the prestigious journal Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, show that the three tahr species actually belong to three different genera, each with only that single species. The authors retained the genus for the Himalayan tahr, Hemitragus jemlahicus, and created two new genera — for the Nilgiri tahr now called Nilgiritragus hylocrius and the Arabian tahr renamed Arabitragus jayakari. For the purpose of this article however, I will describe all three animals labelled with the common name tahr.

Himalayan tahr

Himalayan tahrs are majestic animals found at altitudes of 2,000-4,500 m, in high craggy mountains, from Kashmir and Ladakh (rare) eastward up to Bhutan. They sport long, shaggy coats of wool to protect them in the bitterly cold habitat, which is accompanied by icy winds and snow for almost six months a year. An adult male, five to six years old, with its long, black face, outwardly curved close-set short horns, long, dark mane (technically called ruff), and dishevelled long hair falling from its back, may look whacky. But to Himalayan tahr ewes it is a handsome beast to select for mating. In its vertical dominion, the male stands on a pinnacle, challenging rival males with its contemptuous looks, while inviting passing groups of ewes. After mating, the females separate into their own groups and live an unobtrusive life with their kids, to avoid detection by the snow leopard, their main predator.

Himalayan tahrs were hunted extensively in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, resulting in a major decline in their population. Now, in all their range in India, Nepal, Bhutan and eastern Tibet, they are a protected species, so their numbers have increased in some areas.

Nilgiri tahr

Nilgiri tahrs are handsome animals. There are a species I am quite familiar with, as I have worked in the Nilgiris while supervising the Grassland Ecology Project of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Bombay Natural History Society. They are 80-100 cm in height at the shoulder, and weigh 50-100 kg. The vast difference in weight is mainly because some old males, called saddlebacks, can become quite large and heavy compared to females. At one time, they were the prime target of the so-called hunting sportsman. There are many books and stories of shikar mentioning the shooting of saddlebacks by the British who had colonised the Nilgiris to grow tea and other crops in the salubrious climate, compared to hot, dusty plains. This soon changed the landscape of the upper Nilgiris (and other areas of the Western Ghats). The establishment of the Nilgiri Game Association in 1877 by British planters and hunters was mainly to control hunting and provide “sport” to the British and their friends. It is now called the Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association.

Nilgiri tahrs are not confined to the Nilgiris; isolated populations are found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Historically, they occurred in the southern parts of the Western Ghats of Karnataka, but hunting exterminated them. There is a plan to reintroduce them in some suitable areas in Karnataka, such as Kudremukh National Park which has extensive shola grasslands.

According to an excellent study by WWF-India, the total population of Nilgiri tahrs is now more than 3,000, but there is enough suitable habitat to increase it to more than 5,000. They are a major tourist attraction in places like Topslip, and in sanctuaries like Mukurthi National Park in the Nilgiris and Parambikulam Sanctuary. Eravikulam National Park, Kerala has more than 700 individuals, the largest population of this rare mountain goat. Some of these animals have become so tame that they can be approached as close as 3-5 m.

Arabian Tahr

The third and smallest species, the Arabian tahr, is found in the Al Hajar mountain chain of Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Much like the Western Ghats these mountains, reach up to 1,800 m and run parallel to the coast, separating the coastal plains from the vast Arabian desert. Intensive overgrazing by goats, increasing upward urbanisation in the mountains, and poaching have reduced their numbers, making them “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List. Oman and the UAE have lately taken many protective measures, including a conservation breeding programme, establishment of Arabian tahr sanctuaries, and banning all types of hunting.

There is an interesting story attached to the scientific name of the Arabian tahr. In the 18th century, Muscat, the capital of Oman, was a small trading and fishing village, with large fleet of British ships anchoring for merchandise. It had a potpourri of people from various areas and was therefore the perfect place for the spread of diseases. The British colonisers, always afraid of tropical diseases, had a medical centre for screening the crew and passengers of ships. In 1875, Dr ASG Jayakar of the Indian Medical Service was appointed there, where he served till 1900. When a new species of tahr, the Arabian tahr (Hemitragus jayakari), was discovered in 1894, British Zoologist, Dr MRO Thomas named it after Dr Jayakar in appreciation of his meritorious services to the medical profession.

Like the Nilgiri tahr, the Arabian tahr does not have the heavy coat seen in their Himalayan cousin, as both live in relatively warmer areas. However, in appearance, all tahrs look similar. All three occupy high vertical, steep mountains. Arabian tahrs are dependent on water so they move long distances in search of water and come down to the wadis to find streams. Once they are off the mountain they become easy targets for poachers. Their natural predator is the Arabian leopard, also a “Critically Endangered” species, and the striped hyena, which is still common in many areas.