Context: For the first time, a Himalayan serow has been sighted in the Himalayan cold desert region (Spiti, Himachal Pradesh).

About Himalayan Serow

• The biologists have described the Himalayan Serow as resembling a cross between a goat, a donkey, a cow, and a pig.
• It is a medium-sized mammal with a large head, thick neck, short limbs, long, mule-like ears, and a coat of dark hair.
• The Himalayan Serow or Capricornis Sumatraensis Thar is restricted to the Himalayan region.
• All the species of Serow are found in Asia.
• Taxonomically, it is a subspecies of the mainland Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis).
• Himalayan Serow is herbivores and is typically found at altitudes between 2,000 metres and 4,000 metres.
• The Himalayan Serow is known to be found in eastern, central, and western Himalayas, but not in the Trans Himalayan region.
• It is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
• It is listed under Schedule I of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which provides absolute protection.