On the trail of the four horned antelope or chousingha

The elusive chousingha or four-horned antelope is listed as vulnerable and they have been sighted in the forests of Saranda in West Singhbhum district. A four-member team of wildlife experts from Tamil Nadu who have been studying for a month now the fauna flourish in the forests once dominated by Maoists have, apparently, chanced upon excreta of what they believe is of the chousingha. It was seen in Hatichowk in the Baraiburu jungles of Gua range in Saranda two days ago.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 13 June 2016.

The state forest department had commissioned the survey by eco group Green Future Foundation. This was done after a herd was sighted earlier this year. The study group has now been asked to set up camera traps for further authentication. The experts were expected to submit their report by November so that conservation plans for the vulnerable species could be drawn up.
Incidentally, the chousingha is a small antelope primarily found in India and Nepal. It has four horns, which distinguishes it from most other bovids (cloven-hoofed animals). It is a diurnal animal which means they are active mainly during the day. They are solitary by nature but may form loose groups of three to five, with one or more adults, sometimes accompanied by juveniles. These elusive animals feed on grass, herbs, shrubs, foliage, flowers and fruits and needs to drink water frequently. Hence, they stay near sources of water.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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