The Nilgiri Tahr Explained

The Nilgiri tahr is a stocky mountain goat in the southern Western Ghats of India. It's the only species in Nilgiritragus.

John Edward Gray described it as Capra warryato in the 19th century. A 2005 analysis moved it to its own genus.

The southern and northern populations separated long ago.

Adult males stand about 100 cm tall and weigh 80 to 100 kg. Males are literally called saddlebacks.

Nilgiri tahrs inhabit open grasslands with shola forests. They live at 1,200 to 2,600 m elevations.

Herds contain 150 to 200 individuals feeding on grass and shrubs.

Peak breeding is June to September. The 2025 survey found 49 males per 100 females.

Conservation efforts increased the population. About 3,122 individuals were recorded in 2015.