The Status of Nepal's Mammals: The National Red List Series - IUCN

Species Ecology
The Gaur occurs in several forest types including
evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist and dry
deciduous forests. Gaur habitat is characterised by
large and relatively undisturbed forest tracts, hilly
terrain below an elevation of 1,500 m to 1,800 m,
availability of water and an abundance of forage
in the form of coarse grasses (including bamboo),
shrubs and trees. In Nepal, Gaur are found below
800 m.
No specific breeding season has been observed for
Gaur in Nepal and they appear to be able to breed
throughout the year. However it is likely that there is
a peak in calving during March and April, as this is a
pattern observed in other herbivores in Nepal. The
age at first reproduction for Gaur is estimated
at three years, producing a single calf after a
nine-month gestation period.
Conservation Status
Global: Vulnerable A2cd+3cd+4cd
National: Vulnerable D1
Rationale for assessment: The Gaur (Bos gaurus) has
been assessed as Vulnerable under criterion D1 as
the population in Nepal consists of only 330-350
individuals. It also occurs in a small and restricted
area of Chitwan National Park and neighbouring
Parsa Wildlife Reserve. The population in Parsa
remains very small consisting of only 37 individuals
in the last census leaving it vulnerable to the risk
of local extinction. The threats to this species are
poaching for subsistence, habitat loss and
degradation and increased competition with
livestock. Due to the close proximity of this species
to livestock, the risk of disease transmission may
be high (although not yet quantified) and poses a
significant threat to the small Gaur population. At
the moment however, the overall population of this
species is considered to be increasing compared to
previous census. Gaur occur in neighbouring
countries but it is not known whether there is
movement across these political borders.
Legal Status
CITES Appendix I
Listed in the National Parks and Wildlife
Conservation Act 2029 (1973) as protected priority
species. This species occurs within protected areas.
National Population Size
Total: 330-350
A 2008 census recorded 37 individuals in Parsa
Wildlife Reserve and the 2007 census of Chitwan
National Park recorded 297 individuals. The total
global population is estimated to be 13,000 to
30,000 individuals.
National Distribution
This species is confined to the Sal forests of the
Churia foothills in Chitwan National Park and Parsa
Wildlife Reserve in southern central parts of Nepal.
Stray animals have been observed in Koshi Tappu
Wildlife Reserve, and the origin of these animals is
suspected to be Trijuga forests in Udayapur District.
Distribution outside Nepal
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Lao
PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Thailand, Viet Nam.
Main Threats
• Habitat loss and fragmentation due to clearing
for agriculture,
overgrazing and human encroachment.
• Hunting for subsistence.
• Disease transmission from domestic livestock.
• Food competition with domestic livestock.
Conservation Measures in Place
Gaur benefit from conservation actions
implemented for other species such as the Greater
One-horned Rhino, which shares similar habitat.
The DNPWC conducted a Gaur Count in Chitwan
National Park in 2007 and in Parsa Wildlife Reserve
in 2008; however this is not a regular census.
Conservation Recommendations
i) Improve forest and grassland management
including control of invasive species and secure
movement corridors between Chital National Park
and Parsa Wildlife Reserve.
ii) Enhance security in protected areas and establish
community-based anti-poaching units outside
protected areas, as part of wider protection of
wildlife including high-profile species such as the
Royal Bengal Tiger.
iii) Establish and monitor population trends based
on standardised survey and monitoring methods.
iv) Remove and prevent livestock encroachment
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