Chiru - Tibetan Antelope
Q. Which of the following is/are true about Chiru?
1) Chiru is name for a yak species in India.
2) It is native to northeastern India.- Published on 14 Mar 16a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2
- Tibetan Antelope is Chiru. It is found in upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Endemic to the Tibetan Plateau, the Tibetan antelope inhabits open alpine and cold steppe environments between 3,250 and 5,500 m (10,660 and 18,040 ft) elevation. They prefer flat, open terrain, with sparse vegetation cover. They are found almost entirely in China, where they inhabit Tibet, southern Xinjiang, and western Qinghai; a few are also found across the border in Ladakh, India. Today, the majority are found within the Chang Tang Nature Reserve of northern Tibet.
- They are hunted for their soft and warm wool which is usually obtained after death. This wool is known as ‘shahtoosh’ and is used to weave shawls. At present, international trade in their products is strictly prohibited.
