While the second synchronised survey of Nilgiri tahr, held in April this year, estimates the State animal’s population at nine in the Coimbatore Forest Division, it has identified significant threats in historical habitats.
According to the survey report released recently, a Nilgiri tahr was sighted at Chinnaattumalai after a decade. This indicates a potential recovery of this habitat and dispersal of the species to the connected landscape. Indirect evidence, such as pellets and hoof-marks, has been recorded at other habitats. The population was nil in last year’s synchronised survey.
Tamil Nadu records 1,303 Nilgiri Tahrs in second synchronised survey
Of the seven forest ranges in the division, Madukkarai and Boluvampatti have habitats of the endangered mountain ungulate. Chinnaattumalai and Periyaattumalai are the Tahr habitats in the Madukkarai range. High elevations of the Boluvampatti range — Kunjiranmudi, Kurudimalai, and Vellingiri hills — are the other habitats.
According to the report, Kurudimalai was surveyed as a historical habitat of Nilgiri tahr, based on the description of a herd of mountain goats in the hill in Thiruppugazh, written by Tamil saint-poet Arunagirinathar. Indirect signs, like pellets, were found in the hill during the survey. E.R.C. Davidar, a wildlife conservationist who pioneered studies on Nilgiri tahr, had recorded 20 individuals in Kunjiranmudi in 1975-78.
