Nemorhaedus bedfordi (Lydekker, 1905)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2011, Bovidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 2 Hoofed Mammals, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 444-779 : 700

215.

Himalayan Gray Goral

Nemorhaedus bedfordi

French: Goral de Bedford / German: \Westhimalaja-Goral / Spanish: Goral gris del Himalaya

Other common names: Western Gray Goral

Taxonomy. Urotragus bedford: Lydekker, 1905 ,

Tibet.

Formerly classified as a subspecies of N. goral. The generic name was originally spelled Naemorhedus , but the spelling Nemorhaedus , despite being an unjustified emendation, is “in prevailing” usage and is used here. Monotypic.

Distribution. Pakistan (Kashmir) and NW India (Chamba, Kulu). Sutlej River is the probable distributional boundary between the Himalayan Brown Goral (N. goral) and the Himalayan Gray Goral.

Descriptive notes. No specific data available for this species but body and horn measurements are similar to the Himalayan Brown Goral. Body color of the Himalayan Gray Goral is gray, ranging from gray-brown to yellowish-gray. A dorsalstripe is barely visible. Legs are paler than the body, and have a dark brown line on the front. The underside of the Himalayan Gray Goralis whitish, and a creamy chin color continues down onto throat.

Habitat. The Himalayan Gray Goral reportedly occurs at elevations of 350-3000 m in similar habitat types as the Himalayan Brown Goral. In Pakistan, the Himalayan Gray Goral occurs in Himalayan foothills in diverse plant communities, including scattered pine and thorny shrub habitats. In north-western India, they occur at 350-700 m in one area and above 1600 m in another area, on slopes with a median gradient of greater than 30—40°. They seek security cover in dense,tall vegetation in steep, rocky terrain.

Food and Feeding. Annual diet of Himalayan Gray Goral consists of 63% grass, 36% shrubs, and 1% tree leaves.

Breeding. Mating occurs in November—-December, and young are born in April-May. Gestation is about 180 days, and twinning is rare. Males and females reach sexual maturity at 2-3 years. Males join female herds only during the mating season. Matingseason mixed herds consist of a single adult male, adult females and their young, and subadult females. Adult males chase adult females during rut. Male Himalayan Gray Gorals are no doubtterritorial like the Himalayan Brown Gorals.

Activity patterns. Himalayan Gray Gorals are primarily diurnal. They avoid open areas when temperature exceeds 20°C. Temperature is probably a major factor determining daily and seasonal activity and habitat use.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Detailed ecological studies have not been conducted. Older males are primarily solitary; 60% of sightings in winter and 61% in summer were of solitary adult and subadult males. In north-western India, 69% of males were solitary; fewer than 30% of females were solitary. Mean group size was 1-8 in winter and 1-6 in summer, with herds of up to eleven. In another area, mean mixed group size was 2-9. Population density was 4-6—10-5 ind/km?®. Gorals have a matriarchal society, consisting of a basic family group of an adult female with one or two young of the year and other offspring 1-3 years old. Larger groups were observed in disturbed areas.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I (under N. goral). Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List (as N. g. bedfordi). Many populations are small and fragmented. Widespread habitat alteration and disturbance, primarily illegal hunting and livestock grazing, are threats. Like most goral species, there is limited information on habitat use and specific human effects on populations. Strict enforcement of game laws and creation of additional protected areas are a priority. Communitybased conservation programs that emphasize integrated natural resource management, in some instances prioritizing economically viable alternative uses such as trophy hunting, would be beneficial to wildlife and human communities.

Bibliography. Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1966), Fakhar-i-Abbas et al. 2008, 2009), Fox & Johnsingh (1997), Gaston et al. (1983), Groves & Grubb (1985, 2011), Grubb (2005), Hess et al. (1997), Lovari & Apollonio (1993), Lydekker & Dollman (1924), Mead (1989), Mishra & Johnsingh (1996), Pendkhakar & Goyal (1995), Roberts (1997), Schaller (1977), Soma & Kada (1984), Wegge & Oli (1997).

Figures

208. Pyrenean Chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica), 209. Abruzzi Chamois (Rupicapra ornata), 210. Cantabrian Chamois (Rupicapra parva), 211. Alpine Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), 212. Carpathian Chamois (Rupicapra carpatica), 213. Asia Minor Chamois (Rupicapra asiatica), 214. Himalayan Brown Goral (Nemorhaedus goral), 215. Himalayan Gray Goral (Nemorhaedus bedfordi), 216. Chinese Goral (Nemorhaedus griseus), 217. Burmese Goral (Nemorhaedus evansi), 218. Long-tailed Goral (Nemorhaedus caudatus), 219. Red Goral (Nemorhaedus baileyi)

Distribution. Pakistan (Kashmir) and NW India (Chamba, Kulu). Sutlej River is the probable distributional boundary between the Himalayan Brown Goral (N. goral) and the Himalayan Gray Goral.