• A recent census has revealed that the population of the Nilgiri tahr (an endangered mountain goat) at the Mukurthi National Park has grown by an impressive 18% in the last two years, from 480 to 568.

Nilgiri Tahr:

• Nilgiri tahrs are stocky goats with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. Males are larger than the females, and have a darker colour when mature.
• The present distribution of the Nilgiri tahr is limited to approximately 5% of the Western Ghats in southern India, in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in southern India
• The Nilgiri tahr is found at high elevations on cliffs, grass-covered hills, and open terrain.
• Females gestate for about 180 days, and usually give birth to one kid per pregnancy.
• Principal threats are habitat loss mainly from domestic livestock and spread of invasive plants and poaching
• The Nilgiri tahr is fully protected under Schedule I by the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
• The creation of Eravikulam and Silent Valley National Parks, Mukurti, Anamalai, and Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel Sanctuary and the Kalakadu-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, together offer an important degree of protection to the Nilgiri Tahr.
• The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is removing exotic monocultures along the periphery of the Mukurti National Park
• Listed as Endangered because its population size is estimated to number fewer than 2,500 mature individuals.