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The colonisation of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, Tamil Nadu’s State animal, has risen to an estimated 1,364, according to the 3rd synchronised colonisation survey, conducted jointly by the Tamil Nadu and Kerala Forest Departments.
The estimation represents a 4.68% summation from the 1,303 animals recorded successful 2025 and a 32% summation from the 1,031 estimated during the archetypal synchronised survey successful 2024.
The findings were released connected Friday by Minister for Forests R.V. Ranjith Kumar and Environment Minister V.K. Rajeev. Along with the Nilgiri Tahr report, they besides released the State-level Synchronised Wetland Birds Survey 2026, State-level Synchronised Terrestrial Birds Survey 2026, and the Tamil Nadu State-wide Raptor Assessment Report.
The survey was carried retired nether Project Nilgiri Tahr, a flagship conservation inaugural to unafraid the aboriginal of the endemic upland ungulate recovered lone successful the Western Ghats. It was conducted from April 24 to 27 crossed 177 survey blocks spanning each 14 wood divisions successful Tamil Nadu. It covered 43 wood ranges and 124 wood beats crossed the Western Ghats.
The workout progressive 858 personnel, including wood officers, frontline staff, scientists, researchers and veterinary doctors, who collectively trekked 3,219 km done rugged upland terrain.
For the archetypal time, the Forest Department utilized the Android-based “Varudai” mobile application, enabling real-time transportation of tract observations. The survey was conducted successful coordination with institutions including the Kerala Forest Department, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)-India, Wildlife Institute of India, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-India, TANUVAS University, Wildlife Trust of India and the Arignar Anna Zoological Park’s Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation.
According to the report, 673 Nilgiri Tahrs were estimated successful the 2 largest contiguous habitats — 360 successful Grass Hills National Park successful the Anamalai Tiger Reserve and 313 successful Mukurthi National Park successful the Nilgiris. The remaining 691 were recorded crossed fragmented habitats dispersed implicit 13 wood divisions.
Among fragmented landscapes, Tiruppur part recorded the highest estimated colonisation astatine 148 individuals, followed by Kalakad part with 115 and Pollachi part with 78. The study noted that The Anamalai scenery unsocial accounted for 44.87% of Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiri Tahr population, portion the Nilgiris scenery held 29.25%.
Five situation blocks
Researchers besides documented Nilgiri Tahr successful 5 situation blocks wherever their beingness had not been confirmed during erstwhile synchronised surveys.
Fresh sightings were recorded successful Tiruvannamalai Mottai successful Kalakad division, Rasivarai successful Tiruppur division, Thoovanam Mottai successful Megamalai division, and Kalaiyanputhur and Puramedu successful Kodaikanal division.
The survey recovered a male-to-female ratio of 55:100 and a female-to-young ratio of 100:66, indicating progressive breeding populations. The taxon was recorded crossed a wide altitudinal range, from astir 270 metres supra mean oversea level to much than 2,630 metres.
The study said the synchronised surveys conducted implicit the past 3 years bespeak a dependable summation successful the species’ colonisation and supply a beardown technological ground for semipermanent conservation planning, situation restoration and absorption of fragmented populations.
Senior officials who attended the lawsuit see Supriya Sahu, Environment and Forests Secretary; Srinivas R. Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force); Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Chief Wildlife Warden; and A. Udhayan, Director, Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation.
