| « Previous | Home | Next » | here is the limit 24 July, 2006 |
 photo: david lindley the nilgiri tahr is an endangered species endemic to the grasslands above 2600m; in the early 20th century the population had shrunk to around 100 but fortunately with the establishment of the eravikulam national park numbers in this area has risen to almost 1000. the nilgiri, also known locally as a 'cloud' or 'cliff' goat, is actually a closer relation to the cow and antelope family and hence is seen by some as a kind of antelope-goat missing link...except not missing! cloud goat was a particularly apt name for the animal on the day we visited. the entire mountain was covered in a dense white blanket and visibility about zero: we stumbled up the trail blind, thinking very much about what the hell we were doing there, especially when we found out how rare the animals were; after all it's hard enough to see wildlife with normal visibility let alone when you can hardly see your hand in front of your face. and yet, suddenly the cloud parted and there they were, 20 or so of these magnificent creatures, seemingly oblivious to the squealing tourists that had just popped out of the clouds! | |
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Posted by davidlindley Archived under: india |
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