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

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19) Naemorhedus goral (Hardwicke, 1825)
Common Names
Himalayan Goral (English); Ghoral (Nepali)
Species Description
A goat-antelope. Short tail, brown-grey coloured
horns which grow backwards. Coat is a grey colour
with a white bib.
Species Ecology
Himalayan Goral are widely distributed on the
forested slopes and steep mountainous areas up
to the tree-line. Their main diet consists of grasses,
leaves, twigs, fruits, and nuts.
Males and females reach sexual maturity at three
years, giving birth to a single young after a gestation
period of 170 to 218 days. They have a lifespan of up
to 15 years.
Conservation Status
Global: Near Threatened
National: Near Threatened
Rationale for assessment: The Himalayan Goral
(Nemorhedus goral) has been assessed as Near
Threatened due to an observed population decline
caused by poaching and habitat loss. The current
decline of this species needs further research to
quantify numbers and rates of decline. Current
observations suggest that it may almost qualify
as Vulnerable under criterion A2cd, however the
population decline is not yet believed to exceed
30% over 3 generations (21 years).
Legal Status
CITES Appendix I
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029
(1973)
National Population Size
There is no information available on the population
abundance of this species in Nepal, however it is a
widely hunted species and the population could be
decreasing at a high rate.
National Distribution
This species is currently distributed across the
Churia and mid-hills between elevations of 300 m
and 3,000 m.
Distribution outside Nepal
Bhutan, China (southern Tibet), India, Pakistan.
Main Threats
• Hunting for subsistence.
References
Hayseen et al. 1993, Wegge and Oli 1997, Baral and Shah 2008, Nepal Red List of Mammals Field Technicians
Workshop 2010, Nepal Red List of Mammals National Workshop 2010.