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.
