Himalayan Ibex and Blue Sheep

Wildlife surveys to estimate Himalayan Ibex and Blue Sheep populations have been initiated in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul & Spiti.

About Himalayan Ibex:

• Subspecies of the Siberian Ibex, known for its sweeping, curved horns and agility on steep terrains.
• Habitat: Inhabit high-altitude regions, typically between 3,200 to 5,500 meters above sea level, including alpine meadows, scree slopes, and cliffs.
• Physical Characteristics:
  • Social animals living in herds.
  • Males larger than females, with long, curved horns up to 130 cm in length.
  • Coat is thick and coarse, varying from brown in summer to a darker, more insulated coat in winter for warmth.
• Diet: Herbivores grazing on grasses, herbs, and shrubs, adapted to limited food resources in their high-altitude habitats.
• Distribution: Found across the mountains of India (states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh), Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan.
• Conservation status:
  • Listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List
  • Protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.

About Blue Sheep:

• Also known as Bharal, a species of caprid (goat-antelope) native to the high Himalayas.
• Physical Characteristics:
  • Robust build, body length about 115 to 165 cm.
  • Males possess distinctive backward-curving horns, up to 80 cm in length.
  • Dense, woolly coat with a bluish-gray color that blends well with rocky surroundings.
• Habitat: Prefers steep, rugged terrains with sparse vegetation and rocky outcrops, ranging from 2,500 to 5,500 meters in elevation.
• Diet: Herbivores primarily grazing on grasses, herbs, and shrubs, adapting diet seasonally to availability.
• Distribution: Across high mountains of Central and South Asia, including parts of China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Pakistan.
• Conservation status:
  • Classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN due to stable population and wide distribution;
  • Also faces threats from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.
  • Protected under Schedule I of the WPA, 1972.

Ref: Source