Nilgiri Tahr population rises to 1,364 in TN, 4.68% rise over '25, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• The Nilgiri Tahr population in Tamil Nadu has increased to 1,364 individuals as of April 2026.
• This marks a 4.68% rise compared to the 2025 count of 1,303 individuals.
• The species is endangered and holds the highest protection status under the Wildlife Protection Act.
• The estimation was part of the third synchronized exercise conducted by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department under Project Nilgiri Tahr.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Nilgiri Tahr is an ungulate found exclusively in the Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• It contributes significantly to nutrient cycling in the high-altitude mountain ecosystem.
• The population has shown a positive recovery trend, increasing from 1,031 in 2024 to 1,364 in 2026.
• The Anamalai Hills account for 44.87% of the total population, while the Nilgiris landscape holds 29.25%.
• The observed male-to-female ratio was 55:100, with adult females making up 38.4% of the population.
• The species' distribution is no longer contiguous, existing in scattered populations across suitable habitats.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Nilgiri Tahr: An endangered mountain ungulate endemic to the Southern Western Ghats of India.
• Ungulates: A diverse group of hoofed mammals, typically herbivores.
• Wildlife Protection Act: Indian legislation enacted in 1972 to protect wild animals, birds, and plants.
• Nutrient Cycling: The natural process by which nutrients are exchanged between living and non-living components of an ecosystem.