Facts about tahr
Bull tahr
Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)
Himalayan tahr are large goat-like animals, native to the central Himalayan ranges of India and Nepal. In New Zealand tahr can be found in the central Southern Alps between about the Rakaia and Whitcombe valleys in the north to about Lake Hawea in the south.
The male tahr's summer coat is a reddish-brown, females a medium brown, both turning dark brown in winter. The bull tahr has an impressive mane of long hair around the neck and shoulders.
Tahr are popular with recreational and tourist hunters; their horns - and sometimes the male's striking mane - are sought-after trophies. Tahr are generally found in the alpine grassland zone, where they graze on snow tussocks, alpine herbs and sub-alpine shrubland plants.
Tahr are social animals and form easily recognisable groups; Adult females, yearlings and kids gather together; mature males over 4 years form bachelor groups; while younger males hang out together in separate, smaller groups. Males mix in with the females in their range over the winter breeding season but during the summer months they often travel long distances away from the female groups.
Tahr and chamois were introduced to this country in the early days of European settlement for sport - to create a hunting resource for residents and tourists. Both animals have found the Southern Alps of the South Island ideal habitat.