Goa (antelope)
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| Goa (Tibetan Gazelle) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Procapra picticaudata Hodgson, 1846 |
The Goa (Procapra picticaudata), also known as the Tibetan Gazelle, is a species of antelope that inhabits the Tibetan plateau. A typical goa stands about two feet (60cm) tall at the shoulder and weighs about 15kg. Males have long, tapering, ridged horns, reaching lengths of up to 14 inches (35cm). Females have no horns; neither have distinct facial markings. They are grayish brown in colour, with a short, black-tipped tail in the center of a heart-shaped white rump-patch. The thin and long legs of this elegant animal enhance its running skill, which is required to escape from predators. Mating season is in December, with young born the following May.
In Ladakh they live at high altitudes (4,750-5,050 m. or 15,580-16,570 ft) but prefer relatively flat areas with an affinity for warmer south-facing slopes. They co-exist with domestic yaks and kiang, but are competitive with domestic goats and sheep and avoid herders and their dogs.[2].The population in Ladakh comprises less than 100 individuals and it continues to decline. Within Ladakh, its distribution was spread as far west as the Tsokar Basin in the beginning of the 20th century, but today it is confined to the Hanle Valley and the neighbouring areas like Chumur. Presently gazelles are suffering not only from poor pasture conditions, but also from problems associated with small populations such as lack of genetic diversity in the population, which makes them less resistant to diseases.[2]. Goa populations in both Ladakh and Tibet seem to be declining precipitously and are threatened with extinction, at least in some regions.[2][3]. Within India, a small population of gazelle also exists in northern Sikkim, right at the border between India and Chinese-controlled Territory, thus apparently moving back and forth between India and Chinese-controlled Territory.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Mallon, D.P. & Bhatnagar, Y.V. (2008). Procapra picticaudata. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2008. Retrieved on 29 March 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of near threatened.
- ^ a b c Namgail, Tsewang; S. Bagchi, C. Mishra and Y. Bhatnagar (2008). Distributional correlates of the Tibetan gazelle in northern India: Towards a recovery programme.. 42. pp. 107–112. http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=1738772.
- ^ Rizvi, Janet. Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia, p. 49. 1983. Oxford University Press. Reprint: Oxford University Press, New Delhi (1996)
[edit] References
- Bhatnagar, Y.V., Seth, C.M., Takpa, J., Ul-haq, S., Namgail, T., Bagchi, S., Mishra, C. (2007). A strategy for conservation of the Tibetan gazelle Procapra picticaudata in Ladakh. Conservation and Society, 5: 262-276.[1]
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