| Chinkara | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chinkara inThar Desert,Rajasthan | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Antilopinae |
| Genus: | Gazella |
| Species: | G. bennettii[1] |
| Binomial name | |
| Gazella bennettii[1] (Sykes, 1831) | |
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| Distribution map of chinkara | |
Thechinkara (Gazella bennettii), also known as theIndian gazelle, is agazellespecies native toIndia,Iran,Afghanistan andPakistan.[2]
The following six subspecies are considered valid:[1]
It stands at 65 cm (26 in) tall and weighs about 23 kg (51 lb). It has a reddish-buff summer coat with smooth, glossy fur. In winter, the white belly and throat fur is in greater contrast. The sides of the face have dark chestnut stripes from the corner of the eye to the muzzle, bordered by white stripes. Chinkara have straight horns with prominent rings which reach over 39 cm (15 in). Both males and females have horn although females have shorter horns.[6][7]
Chinkara live in arid plains and hills,deserts, dry scrub and light forests. They inhabit more than 80protected areas in India. In Pakistan, they range up to elevations of 1,500 m (4,900 ft). In Iran, their largest population is theKavir National Park.[8]
In 2001, the Indian chinkara population was estimated at 100,000 with 80,000 living in theThar Desert. The population in Pakistan is scattered, and has been severely reduced by hunting. Also in Iran, the population is fragmented. In Afghanistan, chinkaras are probably very rare.[8]
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Chinkara are swift and agile. Chinkara have nocturnal feeding habits, with most feeding activity during evening and night. They are browsers and consume leaves and grasses. They are observed alone or in groups of three, including mother and offspring. Sometimes groups of 8 to 10 individuals are observed. Chinkra are polygamous. Males are territorial and protect their territory. There are two breeding seasons in the year, one at the end of the rainy season and another at the end of spring. Chinkara have a gestation period of 5 to 5.5 months and females give birth to one offspring and sometimes twins who stay with their mother for 12 months.[7]
Chinkaras are preyed upon byIndian leopards,Bengal tigers,Asiatic lions anddholes. The chinkara was a common prey of theAsiatic cheetah in Iran. Outside protected areas they may be attacked bypariah dogs, and bothIndian wolves andgolden jackals are also known to hunt them.[7]
The chinkara is threatened by extensive hunting for meat andtrophies in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. Other threats include habitat loss due to agricultural and industrial expansion. The status in these countries is unclear. Around 1,300 individuals occur in Iran. In 2001, the chinkara population in India was estimated at over 100,000 individuals, of which nearly 80,000 occurred in theThar desert. However, the population has declined since then. The chinkara is listed asleast concern on theIUCN Red List.[2]
In 1993, a controversy erupted when theGovernment of Gujarat issued a decree todenotify theNarayan Sarovar Sanctuary, that contains a small population of chinkara, to allow mining oflignite,limestone,bentonite andbauxite inside the sanctuary. This was, however, rejected by the Gujarat High Court, and the sanctuary was restored to its earlier limits.[9][10]
The chinkara is protected in Iran and Pakistan.[2] It occurs in over 80 protected areas in India.[9] In January 2016, theGovernment of Karnataka issued a notification to establish a sanctuary especially for chinkara in theYadahalli village in theBagalkot district of the state. This region shelters a major population of chinkara.[11] The Karnataka Government also notified theBukkapatna Chinkara Wildlife Sanctuary in Tumakuru district in May 2019.[12]
