The Chiltan ibex or Chiltan goat (Capra aegagrus chialtanensis) is a wild goat endemic to Chiltan, Balochistan, Pakistan.[1][2][3][4]

Chiltan ibex
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Caprinae
Tribe: Caprini
Genus: Capra
Species:
Subspecies:
C. a. chialtanensis
Trinomial name
Capra aegagrus chialtanensis
Lydekker, 1913

Description

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Males are reddish-gray in color. Some males have dark brown or black chests, sometimes a dark shoulder stripe (like Bezoar ibex). Females are reddish-gray with a dark brown dorsal stripe and white legs with a dark brown marking below the knees. Horns are similar to Bezoar ibex, they flat in cross and sharply curved at front and form a long, open spiral that is normally a complete turn or a little more, their horns reaches the length of 29 inches (73.7 cm), however, the longest of record measured 40 inches (101.6 cm) (Rowland Ward, 1969).[1]

Behavior

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Chiltan ibexes are social and diurnal. Their rut starts in mid-October and is over by third week of November. Youngs are born from late-March to early-April, with twins occurring frequently.

Distributions & Status

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There four to five populations in early 1970s in Chiltan, Mordar, Koh-i-Maran and Koh-i-Gishk (ranges at south of Quetta). By 1975, the uncontrolled hunting by locals reduced population to 170 in Sulaiman Mountains area, (now Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park). By 1990, the population was increased by 480.[1] The Forest and Wildlife Department Balochistan has made an endeavour and saved the Chiltan ibex which is an endangered subspecies.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Chiltan Wild Goat". scirecordbook.org. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Pakistan - Shikar Safaris - Hunting in Turkey, Asia and Europe". shikarsafaris.com. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  3. ^ "Wild Goats and Sheep - Wildlife of Pakistan". wildlifeofpakistan.com. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Meet the Sheep - Persian Desert Ibex". wildsheepfoundation.org. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.