Context
Indian Gaur was spotted in Nallamala Forest. Sambar deer continues to be threatened by poachers.
About Indian Gaur:
- It is the largest and tallest in the family of wild cattle.
- Distribution: Indigenous to the South and Southeast parts of Asia.
- Habitat:
- Found in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests
- Prefer hilly-terrains below an altitude of 1,500-1,800 m
- Prevalent in the Western Ghats.
- Found in Nagarhole National Park , Bandipur National Park , Masinagudi National Park and Biligirirangana Hills.
- Features:
- Both males and females possess horns.
- A social animal
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- Wild Life Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
- It is listed in CITES Appendix I.
About Sambar Deer:
- Most active at dusk and at night.
- Distribution:
- Their range is distributed from the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains across southern Asia and reaching the islands of Taiwan, Sumatra and Borneo.
- Native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
- Habitat:
- Found in a broad range of forest habitats like dry deciduous forest, rainforest and mixed forests.
- Conservation status
- IUCN: Vulnerable
- The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule-III
Source:
Previous Year Question
Consider the following fauna:
1. Lion-tailed Macaque
2. Malabar Civet
3. Sambar Deer
How many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (a)
