There is a rise in the Nilgiri tahr numbers at the Eravikulam National Park (ENP), the natural habitat of the endangered species in Munnar. The annual census held in April sighted 803 tahrs inside the park compared with 785 last year.
Officials say 128 calves were sighted inside the park this year; last year it was 125. No calves were spotted at the proposed Neelakurinji sanctuary, near Vattavada, in Munnar.
“The present population of Nilgiri tahr in the Munnar wildlife division is in the range of 857-1,013. Perumalmala, Vembanthanni, Naukolli ‘A’, and Anamudi ‘A’ blocks in the park reported the highest numbers. Of the total tahr population in the park, more than 15% are young ones,” says Eravikulam National Park assistant wildlife warden Job J. Neriamparampil.
