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Tibetan Antelope
Key Facts
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Common Name
Chiru, Tibetan Antelope; Antilope Du Tibet, Tchirou(Fr); Antilope Del Tibet, AntÃlope Del Tibet (Sp)
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Scientific Name
Pantholops hodgsonii
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Location
Southern Asia
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Status
Endangered (IUCN A2d)
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Population
Less than 75,000
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Height and Length
Shoulder height: 80 - 100 cm Length: 120 - 130 cm
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Weight
35 - 40 Kg for males and 25 - 30 Kg for females
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Fur
Fine, soft and dense woolly coat that varies from grey, beige to reddish-brown
Tibetan antelope is a priority species. WWF treats priority species as one of the most ecologically, economically and/or culturally important species on our planet. And so we are working to ensure such species can live and thrive in their natural habitats.
Physical description
The Tibetan Antelope or Chiru has an exceptionally good quality of fur. It has a fine, soft and dense woolly coat which provides insulation in the harsh cold climate of the Tibetan plateau. The coat varies from grey, beige to reddish-brown. The underparts are creamy white in colour.Size
Shoulder height: 80 - 100 cm
Length: 120 - 130 cm
Weight: 35 - 40 Kg for males and 25 - 30 Kg for females
Habitat
Biogeographic realmPalearctic
Range States
China, India
Extinct in Nepal
Geographic location
Southern Asia
Ecological region
Montane grasslands and shrublands
Food chain
Tibetan antelope is a herbivore animal and feeds on:
- grasses
- herbs and shrubs
- Wolf
- Himalayan black bear
- Humans
Interesting facts
- A group of Chiru is called a herd
- Chiru can run upto 80 km per hour
- Chiru males have long, S-shaped horns with a back curve that can grow 50 - 70 cm (20 - 27 inches) in length
- After mating females leave their male partners and go as far as 300 km away to give birth.
- The gestation period is between 6 and 8 months
- Chiru usually give birth to 1 offspring
- Almost half of the Tibetan antelope offspring die within 2 months of their birth
Threats
Main threat to Tibetan antelope comes from humans. Tibetan antelope are illegally hunted for their highly valued fur which is used for making high quality and fine shahtoosh shawls.Horns of males and bones for Chinese medicine are the other reasons for illegal hunting and poaching.