Himalayan Ibex

Context (DTE): Wildlife authorities in Himachal Pradesh have started surveys to estimate the population of Himalayan ibex. The survey is done through the double-observer survey technique.

The double-observer survey technique involves two observers searching for and counting animals simultaneously while ensuring they do not cue each other on the locations of the animals.

About Himalayan Ibex (Capra sibirica hemalayanus)

Himalayan ibex is a wild goat, a subspecies of the Siberian ibex that is native to the Himalayan region of India, Pakistan, Tibet, and Nepal.
In India, they are found in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
They inhabit the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas, including the Trans-Himalayan region, where they can be found at elevations between 3,000 and 5,800 meters.

Habitat: They prefer steep, rocky terrain with plenty of vegetation and access to water sources. During the winter, they migrate to lower elevations to avoid deep snow and harsh weather conditions.
Physical description: They have thick, shaggy coat that helps them to survive in the harsh mountain environment.
- They have long, curved horns that can grow up to a meter in length. Male Himalayan ibexes have longer, more heavily ridged, and curved horns than females, and their horns are also larger in size.
- Males also tend to be larger in size and more muscular than females.
Diet: They are herbivores and primarily feed on grasses, leaves, and shrubs.
Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern | WPA, 1972: Schedule I
Threats: Hunting, poaching and habitat loss.