Himalayan Ibex

Until now, Indian ibex populations had been classified as one of the Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica) populations found on the outskirts of the species’ range. Ibex found in Tajikistan and the trans-Himalayan ranges of the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir and the state of Himachal Pradesh, also known as Himalayan ibex, appear to be distinct from Siberian ibex in other regions, according to genetic analysis by a team of scientists from the Zoological Survey of India in Kolkata. They hope this population will be classified as a different species in the future, but experts say additional research is still required.

Ibex species: 

An ibex is a mountain goat species that belongs to the genus Capra. Artiodactyla is a Bovidae species that belongs to the Bovidae family. Ibex goats can be found on all three continents, including Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

The term ibex comes from the Latin word Iberian, which means “Iberian” or “Aquitanian.” The word Ibex has a similar connotation to the Spanish word bull. They are generally found in the wild, and no evidence of human domestication has been detected. It also has a long history and will continue to be a popular topic for researchers studying the environmental harmony maintained by many creatures in the highlands.

Facts about Ibex: 

• From their hooves to withers, the highest portion of the shoulders at the base of the neck, Ibex are normally 1 to 5.5 feet (30 to 170 centimeters) tall.
• Grazing constitutes a large portion of their diet.
• Ibex are gregarious animals that live in herds.
• The rut is the breeding season for ibex. Males battle for the privilege to procreate with females by forcing their heads close during the rut.
• Sharp edges and concave undersides on ibex hooves act as suction cups, allowing them to grip the slopes of steep, rocky cliffs.

Himalayan Ibex: 

The Himalayan Ibex (Capra sibirica hemalayanus) is a subspecies of the Siberian Ibex (Capra sibirica). They can be found in Pakistan and India’s western Himalayas, mainly at heights of 3800 meters and above. They can be identified from their horns having notches on the front and getting bigger every year. In the winter, their coat is thick and woolly, and in the early summer, it is shed. With a darker dorsal stripe, the color ranges from pale brown to dark brown. They are frequently found in tiny herds of up to 50 individuals. In the winter, when the mountains are covered in snow, they descend to lower elevations in search of food. As the snow melts in the summer, they move upwards again.

Habitat of Himalayan Ibex: 

Apart from difficult mountains, Himalaya ibex dwell in a complex ecosystem that includes alpine meadows for grazing, streams for watering, and level places with rocks for resting. They may graze for long periods on mildly sloping grassy regions or even incline to damp meadows, and favor steppe vegetation, stable soil, and areas with less snow cover during the winter.

Distribution in India: 

The depth of snow cover is a crucial component in the distribution of Himalayan ibex, and it is sometimes the only reason for their absence in some surrounding areas and mountains.

Thus, they are found in Ladakh’s Trans-Himalayan region, as well as the Greater Himalayas and Pir Panjals of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The eastern limit appears to be the BaraLacha La Pass in Himachal Pradesh to the north and the Satluj Gorge to the south of the Great Himalayan Range. The southernmost populations may be found south of the Pir Panjal Range in Himachal Pradesh’s Manali WLS.

Diet and Nutrition: 

• Ibex are ruminants with multi-chambered stomachs that aid in the digestion of the stiff cellulose in their diet.
• During the hotter months, they consume green grass and bush, 
• Ibex requires water but may survive without it for days. 
• Salt licks are also beneficial to them.
• During the severe winters, the south slopes of mountains get more sun and so they have more food from frequently foraging here.

IUCN Status: 

The Himalayan Ibex is classified as ‘least concerned’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Because their population is broad and not threatened with extinction, least-concerned designated species are not a priority of species conservation.

Regardless, unlawful shooting, habitat loss, and competition for grazing with domestic animals continue to threaten the ibex species.

Conservation: 

The Himalayan Ibex is severely hampered by domestic goats and sheep. In the chilly deserts of the Trans-Himalaya, such multiple-use is incompatible with wild herbivore conservation. The study by Sumanta Bagchi, Charudutt Mishra, and YV Bhatnagar recommended that this animal reliance on rapidly dwindling natural resources be reviewed immediately.

Conclusion: 

Ibex is a unique and attractive goat species, yet it is on the verge of extinction. Except for several ibex species, of which the Himalayan is one, all goat categories are doing quite well in terms of population. Instead of killing or domesticating them, we should take care naturally, which will be better for nature and humanity in the long run.