Gaur

Study reveals land use patterns and roads in the central Indian landscape were disrupting the genetic connectivity of two large herbivores — Gaur and Sambar.

About Gaur (Indian Bison):

• Scientific Name: Bos gaurus, the tallest species of wild cattle in India and the largest extant bovine.
• Physical Characteristics:
  • Build: Massively built with a convex forehead and strong limbs.
  • Size: Males weigh 600-1500 kg, while females weigh 400-1000 kg.
  • Distinct Features: Features a prominent ridge on the back, sparse hair, and a creamy white or yellowish forehead in newborns, which transitions to reddish brown.
  • Horns: Slightly curved inward, pale green or yellowish brown.
  • Lifespan: Up to 26 years in captivity.
• Behavior and Social Structure:
  • Lifestyle: Herbivorous, typically living in herds.
  • Group Size: Usually 30-40 individuals.
  • Alarm Call: A high-pitched snort followed by a growling “boo”.
• Habitat and Diet:
  • Habitats: Predominantly found in the Western Ghats, evergreen, and moist deciduous forests, up to altitudes of 6,000 ft.
  • Diet: Feeds on leaves, fruits, stems, flowers, seeds; favorites include elephant apple, Indian Box wood, and cashew plant.
  • Feeding Habits: Active mainly early in the morning and late in the evenings; may resort to debarking trees for minerals during shortages.
• Threats:
  • Poaching: There is a high demand for their meat and commercial value, especially prevalent along the Nepal-India border.
  • Food Scarcity: Caused by the destruction of grasslands and competition with domestic animals.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I.
  • CITES: Listed in Appendix I.

Ref: Source

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