Srinagar, Feb 8: Wildlife authorities have rescued Himalayan Ibex, a goat found mostly in high altitude mountains, from a village in north Kashmir and shifted it to rehabilitation centre.
 Authorities are also mulling to conduct a survey of Gurez and Bandipora areas to check the existing population of Ibex to chalk out strategies for their conservation.
 Pertinently the Himalayan Ibex scientifically known as Capra Ibex usually prefers high altitude precipitous cliffy and rocky areas for shelter and defence against its predators. The upper ranges of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Baltistan, Ladakh, Karakorum, Tibet Plateau are its preferred destinations.
 Ibex usually migrate from Zanaskar mountain ranges towards Drass, Minimarg enrouting alpine areas of Baltal, Wangat, and settle in areas of Tilala, Titwal, Gurez including alpine regions of Bandipora.
 The wildlife warden north Kashmir, Abdul Rauf Zargar told Greater Kashmir that the Ibex had strayed into a hamlet, Samlar in Bandipora district. “It seems disturbances in forests or shortage of food might have forced the goat to venture into the human habitation. Fortunately, the locals informed us immediately. Otherwise the goat could have fallen prey to stray dogs or poachers,” Zargar said.
 Locally called as kail bakri and draped in thick fur, Ibex is famous for its spiral and scimitar shaped horns measuring nearly 147 cms (the largest on record). The animal is usually 100 cms up to shoulder height and varies with an average weight of 90 to 100 kgs, with a flowing beard like male Markhor goat. They normally move in herds of 10-16.
 Experts said after rutting period of late October, the rams (dominated ibex male) usually get separated from the herds and prefer to live alone. “We will immediately try to release him in the wild so that he could mingle with his departed partners or we may keep him for further studies. The goat is in good health. We will also conduct survey of the areas of Gurez and Bandipora areas to check the existing population of the Ibex to chalk out conservation strategies for it,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST