Mountain migrants: Survey of Tibetan Antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) and Wild Yak (Bos grunniens) in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, India.

Résumé

The Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), locally known as chiru is an endangered antelope which is confined to the Tibetan plateau. The chiru have been killed in large numbers for their fine underwool - Shahtoosh from which high grade shawls are made. This killing has resulted in a massive decline in its numbers throughout its range. The wild yak (Bos grunniens), progenitor of our domestic yak is also confined to roughly the same area as the chiru are found, albeit in the higher ridges. Its numbers have also declined because of hunting for meat. A joint survey undertaken primarily by the Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir and the Wildlife Trust of India, has established the presence of chiru and wild yak in two areas of Ladakh and also estimated their numbers. Recommendations for their conservation have also been made in this report.