Chinkara

The chinkara or Indian gazelleis a species of gazelle found in South asia. Characterized by a sandy,yellowish and red coloured fur with a pale white ventral region.

1. Chinkara Gazella bennettii

2. Systematic position Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Chordate Class:Mamalia Order:Artiodyactyla Famliy:Bovidae Genus: Gazella Species: bennettii

3. Introduction The chinkara or I ndian gazelleis a species of gazelle found in South asia . Characterized by a sandy,yellowish and red coloured fur with a pale white ventral region. They have straight horns with prominent rings and tips that are slightly out turned. Horns are found on both male and female,but slightly small in females. Male weighs approx 23 kgs and female weighs between 15-18 kgs . It is preyed upon leopards and Asiatic cheetahs.

4. Genus Gazella and its Species Gazella is widely considered to contain about 7 species and 2 extinct species. 7 species: 2 species:extinct ~ Cuviers gazelle ~Arabian gazelle ~ Dorcas gazelle ~Saudi gazelle ~ Goitered gazelle ~ indian gazelle (chinkara) ~ Rhim gazelle ~Mountain gazelle ~ Spekes gazelle

5. Behaviour of Chinkara Shy animals Avoids human habitation Stay as far from human settlement as possible Indian gazelle can run at great speeds from 50 to 60 km Roaming alone or in small groups Survive without water for days.

6. Distribution and habitat of Chinkara Habitat: Mostly found in grasslands, dessert lands, wood lands. Commonly seen in ranthambore national park, gir national park, dessert national park Distribution : Mainly it is found in India and Bangladesh and in parts of Iran and Pakistan. Widely distributed in India and it is present in 9 states Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra.

7. Diet and feeding of chinkara Diet in wild Grasses Green leaves Buds of flowers and fruits like melon and pumpkins Majority of their metabolic water intake comes from the vegetation they consume. Mating behaviour Do not have specific time for breeding Though autumn and spring season are preferred as mating period. Mating system is polygandrous . Gestation lasts for 5-6 months and female gives births to 1 or 2 young ones

8. Interesting facts Young baby of an I ndian gazelle is called a Calf. Indian gazelle is known as state animal of Rajasthan. In 1994 the species was considered vulnerable . In 1996 species was considered a species of lower risk. In 1998 an Indian film star, Salman khan was charged with hunting chinkara .

9. Major threats of Chinkara Indiscriminate hunting and habitat loss. Hunted for meat and to a lesser degree for trophies. Habitat loss through: over grazing. conversion to agriculture. Industrial development.

10. CONSERVATION STATUS OF CHINKARA Considered as a species of least concern by the International union for conservation of nature (IUCN). Indian country has enacted laws against killing of gazelles. In the north western parts of the India, people called as bishnoi community protect this animal for their religious reason. (A bishnoi priest feeding a chinkara)

11. Let us save Chinkara from extinction