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

have been observed to migrate to higher
elevations during the summer. The main diet
consists of grasses, herbs and fruits.
Himalayan Tahr reach sexual maturity at 18 months,
with females giving birth to one to two young after
a gestation period of 180 to 242 days. The life span
of Himalayan Tahr is up to 22 years.
Conservation Status
Global: Near Threatened
National: Near Threatened
Rationale for assessment: The Himalayan Tahr
(Hemitragus jemlahicus) has been assessed as Near
Threatened. Further studies on the population size
and range may reveal that this species qualifies for
a threatened category under criterion A or C due to
an observed decline in the population but further
research is required to clarify the total population
of this species and its rate of decline.
Legal Status
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029
(1973)
National Population Size
Total: > 2,000
Trend: Decreasing (estimated)
Accurate population estimates are lacking
for this species both nationally and globally,
however it is considered relatively common with
a population estimated to be greater than 2,000
individuals in Nepal. Previous population estimates
ranged between 1,300 and 1,800 individuals. A
2010 study in Sagarmatha National Park estimated a
decline of one-third in the Himalayan Tahr
population.
National Distribution
This species is believed to occur in all of the
protected areas along the high hills and Himalayas
in Nepal. The present distribution may be limited
to lower parts of Kaski, Manang and Annapurna
Conservation Area (Mustang), Kanchanjunga
Conservation Area, Langtang National Park, Makalu
Barun National Park, western parts of Gorkha within
the Manaslu Conservation area, Sagarmatha
National Park and districts of Dolakha, (around
Rolwaling) and Sindhuplanchowk.
Distribution outside Nepal
China (southern Tibet), India.
Main Threats
• Poaching for subsistence and trade in fur and
skin.
• Habitat fragmentation and loss due to livestock
over-grazing and human disturbances.
References
Gurung 1995, Suwal and Verheugt 1995, Shrestha 2006, Baral and Shah 2008, Bhatnagar and Lovari 2008,
Smith and Xie 2008, Nepal Red List of Mammals National Workshop 2010, Nepal Red List of Mammals Field
Technicians Workshop 2010, Dr Rijan Shrestha (pers comm.) 2010 and Dr Ghana Shyam Gurung
(pers comm.) 2010.
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