View source for Tahr

{{Short description|Species of mammal}}
{{Distinguish|text=the closely related [[Himalayan serow]], sometimes called the thar}}
{{refimprove|date=October 2013}}
{{Paraphyletic group
| auto = yes
| image = Himalaja-Tahr.JPG
| image_caption = [[Himalayan tahr]]
| parent = Caprini
| includes_text = Species
| includes =
* ''[[Arabitragus jayakari]]''
* ''[[Hemitragus jemlahicus]]''
* ''[[Nilgiritragus hylocrius]]''
}}

'''Tahrs'''{{efn|sometimes referred to as ''thars'' by confusion with the [[Himalayan serow]] (''Capricornis sumatraensis thar'')}} ({{IPAc-en|t|ɑːr|z}} {{respell|TARZ}}, {{IPAc-en|t|ɛər|z}} {{respell|TAIRZ}}) or '''tehrs''' ({{IPAc-en|t|ɛər|z}} {{respell|TAIRZ}})<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Chambers Dictionary|publisher=Chambers|year=2003|isbn=0-550-10105-5|edition=9th|chapter=tahr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=TAHR {{!}} Meaning & Definition for UK English {{!}} Lexico.com|url=https://www.lexico.com/definition/tahr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518152736/https://www.lexico.com/definition/tahr|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 18, 2021|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Lexico Dictionaries {{!}} English|language=en}}</ref><!-- 'Chambers' is also the source according to which tahrs are often confused with the thar. --> are large [[artiodactyl]] [[ungulate]]s related to [[goat]]s and [[sheep]]. There are three species, all native to Asia. Previously thought to be closely related to each other and placed in a single [[genus]], ''Hemitragus'', [[Genetics|genetic]] studies have since proven that they are not so closely related and they are now considered as members of three separate [[monotypic]] genera: ''Hemitragus'' is now reserved for the [[Himalayan tahr]], ''Nilgiritragus'' for the [[Nilgiri tahr]], and ''Arabitragus'' for the [[Arabian tahr]].<ref>Ropiquet, A. & Hassanin, A. 2005. Molecular evidence for the polyphyly of the genus ''Hemitragus'' (Mammalia, Bovidae). ''Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution'' 36(1):154-168</ref>

==Ranges==
While the Arabian tahr of [[Oman]] and the Nilgiri tahr of [[South India]] both have small ranges and are considered [[Endangered species|endangered]], the Himalayan tahr remains relatively widespread in the [[Himalayas]], and has been [[Introduced species|introduced]] to the [[Southern Alps of New Zealand]], where it is hunted recreationally.  Also, a population exists on [[Table Mountain]] in [[South Africa]], descended from a pair of tahrs that escaped from a zoo in 1936,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/09/0928_tahrs.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011004084911/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/09/0928_tahrs.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 4, 2001 | title=Time Running Out for Exotic Tahrs in Cape Town | work=National Geographic News | date=September 28, 2001 | access-date=April 17, 2014 | author=Irwin, Ron}}</ref> but most of these have been culled.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/mountain-rangers-braai-tahr-1.1029020 | title=Mountain rangers braai tahr | work=[[Independent Online (South Africa)|IOL]] News | date=February 19, 2011 | access-date=April 17, 2014 | author=Bamford, Helen}}</ref> As for the Nilgiri tahr, research indicates its presence to be in the mountain ranges of southern India. Totalling ~1400 individuals in 1998, its largest remaining population appears to survive between the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where it may be vulnerable to poachers and illegal hunting.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mishra |first1=Charudutt |last2=Johnsingh |first2=A. J. T |date=1998-11-01 |title=Population and conservation status of the Nilgiri tahr Hemitragus hylocrius in Anamalai Hills, south India |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320798000044 |journal=Biological Conservation |language=en |volume=86 |issue=2 |pages=199–206 |doi=10.1016/S0006-3207(98)00004-4 |bibcode=1998BCons..86..199M |issn=0006-3207|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Behavior==
A routine of feeding during the morning followed by a long rest period, then feeding in the evening, constitutes the tahr's daily routine. Tahrs are not generally active or feed at night and can be found at the same location morning and evening.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/animals-attractions/animals/himalayan-tahr/|title=Himalayan Tahr|website=Highland Wildlife Park|language=en|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref>

==Tamilnadu==
Nilgiri Tahr is the state animal of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite news |title=about us |url=https://tnprojectnilgiritahr.com/about-us/ |access-date=7 October 2024 |agency=tnprojectnilgiritahr}}</ref> It has references from Tamil Sangam Literature like [[Cilappatikaram]] and [[Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi]]. In 2023, Tamil nadu government has declared October 7 as Nilgiri Tahr Day in honour of [[E. R. C. Davidar]]<ref>{{cite news |title=October 7 to be Nilgiri Tahr Day in state in honour of ERC Davidar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/october-7-to-be-nilgiri-tahr-day-in-state-in-honour-of-e-r-c-davidar/articleshow/104251030.cms |access-date=7 October 2024 |agency=Times of India}}</ref>

<!-- ==See also==
*[[Trusty Tahr]]
 -->
==Notes==
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==References==
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{{Artiodactyla|R.3}}

[[Category:Caprids]]
[[Category:Mammals of Asia]]
[[Category:Mammals of India]]
[[Category:Mammals of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Mammal common names]]