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The Western Ghats of India Nilgiri tahr The Nilgiri tahr (Hermitragus hylocrius) is restricted to the highest reaches of the southern Western Ghats. This endemic and endangered species of mountain goat is shy and extremely agile, preferring to stay on steep mountain cliffs, where it feeds almost exclusively on wild grasses. Its main predators are leopards, tigers, and dhole (Indian wild dogs), although hunting during the colonial and post independence years also took its toll. These factors, combined with extensive habitat loss, mean the Nilgiri tahr population is now estimated at no more than 2000 individuals in the wild. < Previous | Back to Thumbnails | Next >   Photos and captions courtesy of Ian Lockwood Up to Top