Rare Four Horned Antelope Sighted Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve

Rare 4-Horned Antelope Sighted In Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve

For the first time, a rare four-horned antelope has been spotted in the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (formerly known as Nauradehi Sanctuary) in the Sagar district..

Four-Horned Antelope:

1. Scientific Name: Tetracerus quadricornis
2. Size and Appearance: The 4-horned antelope, also known as the Chousingha, is a small bovid antelope, recognized as the smallest antelope species found in Asia. They have a yellowish-brown to reddish coat and are slender, with small legs and a short tail.
3. Horns: The distinguishing feature of this antelope is its four horns, which set it apart from most other bovids. Only male four-horned antelopes grow horns, with one pair located between the ears and the other on the forehead.
4. Habitat: These antelopes prefer open, dry, deciduous forests in hilly terrain. They are often found in areas with significant cover from grasses or heavy undergrowth and close to water bodies.
5. Behaviour: 4-horned antelopes are typically diurnal and solitary by nature, but they can be spotted in loose groups of three to four individuals.

Conservation Status:

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the four-horned antelope as a "Vulnerable" species, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect this unique bovid.

Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve: A Diverse and Important Ecosystem

1. Location: The Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve is spread across the Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur districts of Madhya Pradesh.
2. Area: Covering an area of 2,339 square kilometers, it is the 7th tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
3. Significance: The reserve encompasses areas within the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuary. It serves as a crucial habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, wolves, jackals, Indian foxes, striped hyenas, Nilgai, Chinkara, Chital, Sambhar, Black Buck, Barking deer, Common Langur, and Rhesus Macaque, among others.
4. Flora: The reserve has a rich floral diversity, with chief floral elements including Teak, Saja, Dhaora, Ber, and Amla, among others.

The sighting of the 4-horned antelope in the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve underscores the importance of preserving and protecting unique and vulnerable species and their habitats. Continued conservation efforts are essential to ensure the survival of this enigmatic antelope and maintain the ecological balance of this diverse and vibrant ecosystem.

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