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Munnar
Nilgiri tahr in Munnar
Nilgiritragus hylocrius
The state animal of Tamil Nadu, although its largest population is on the Kerala side. Eravikulam National Park holds the single largest population: 841 animals in the April 2025 count. A joint Kerala-Tamil Nadu survey in April 2025 put the two-state total at roughly 2,655 to 2,668 animals; sources differ slightly on the Kerala figure.
Where to see it
Eravikulam National Park
The Rajamala tourism zone; entry from 08:00, book ahead in peak weeks. Closed 1 Feb - 31 Mar
How to recognise it
At Rajamala the animals come down to the road and graze within metres of visitors. Adult males, called saddlebacks, are almost black with a pale saddle across the back and heavy curved horns.