Tahr

Taxobox
name = Tahr
status = VU
trend = unknown
status_system = iucn2.3


image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Artiodactyla
familia = Bovidae
subfamilia = Caprinae
In part
subdivision_ranks = Genus
subdivision = "Hemitragus"
"Nilgiritragus"
"Arabitragus"

Tahrs are three species of large ungulates closely related to the wild goat. The Himalayan Tahr is one of three species of tahr. The others are the Arabian Tahr of Oman and the Nilgiri Tahr of southern India.

Up until recently the three species were believed to be closely related to each other and were placed in one genus, "Hemitragus". Molecular genetic studies have proved that the tahrs are not genetically related as thought earlier. Now they are considered as three separate genera; "Hemitragus" (Himalayan Tahr), "Nilgiritragus" (Nilgiri Tahr) and "Arabitragus" (Arabian Tahr).

The Himalayan Tahr ("Hermitragus jemlahicus") is found in the Southern Alps of New Zealand where it is hunted recreationally. [ [http://www.nzhuntinginfo.com/printPage.php?pageName=./game/tahr Tahr Hunting In New Zealand, Trophy Bull Tahr, NZ Tahr, Tahr Horns ] ] A small population was also released on Table Mountain in South Africa, but they were later determined to be a 'pest' animal by authorities, and most were exterminated (although some rare sightings still occur).

References