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Himalayan serow

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Environment
  • Published
    16th Dec, 2020

A Himalayan serow has been sighted for the first time in the Himalayan cold desert region.

Context

  • A Himalayan serow has been sighted for the first time in the Himalayan cold desert region.

What kind of an animal is the Himalayan serow?

  • It’s a medium-sized mammal with a large head, thick neck, short limbs, long, mule-like ears, and a coat of dark hair.
  • Taxonomically, it is a subspecies of the mainland serow (Capricornissumatraensis).
  • Himalayan serows are herbivores.
  • It has experienced significant declines in population size, range size and habitat.

What is its conservation status?

  • Himalayan serow is categorised as ‘vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
  • It is listed under Schedule I of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which provides absolute protection.

Where it is found?

  • There are several species of serows, and all of them are found in Asia.
  • The Himalayan serow, or Capricornissumatraensisthar, is restricted to the Himalayan region.
  • They are known to be found in eastern, central, and western Himalayas, but not in the Trans Himalayan region.
  • They are typically found at altitudes between 2,000 metres and 4,000 metres.
  • Wildlife officials believe this particular animal may have strayed into the Spiti valley from the RupiBhaba Wildlife Sanctuary in adjoining Kinnaur.

RupiBhaba Wildlife Sanctuary

  • RupiBhaba Wildlife Sanctuary is at an altitude of 909 to 5,650 meter, and lies on the left bank of the Satluj River, in the district of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh.
  • The sanctuary lies adjacent to the Great Himalayan and Pin Valley National Parks.
  • Flora: Lower western Himalayan temperate, kharsu oak, alpine pastures, dry temperate coniferous and dry broad leaved coniferous.
  • Fauna: Musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan tahr, brown bear, snow leopard, fox, blue sheep, ghoral birds yellow-billed chough, nutcracker, black-throated jay, streaked laughing thrush, white-capped redstart, orange-flanked bush robin, wren, black tit, wall creeper, crested black tit, wagtail and western tragopan.

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