Ladakh Tourism --» Wildlife in Ladakh --» Ibex

Ibex

Of the goats in the region, ibex (Capra ibex) are the most distinctive and beautiful. Sporting a pair of fine curved, spiral horns measuring as much as 147 cm. (the largest on record), the large stocky ibex normally move in herds of 10-16.

They prefer the black precipitous rocks and cliffs and consequently roam much higher than the smaller wild goats, descending, however, in winter to lower altitudes to feed and shelter. The Wildlife Department of J&K estimate that around 250 ibex exist in Kanji Nala.

Inhabiting the steppes of this Tibetan plateau are too small creatures not generally associated with high altitudes, the Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata) and the chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni).

The former, sighted very rarely on the eastern fringe of Ladakh, sport horns measuring 36 cm. and are generally seen in herds of 5-10.

The later also called Tibetan antelopes, are strange little animals with beautiful horns measuring up to 69 cm. Chiru inhabit the Aksai Chin and Tibetan plateau, usually above 5,000 meters.

In summer the herds migrate to the Dopsang Planes and Chang Chenmo valley. These delicate animals are often poached for their wool from which the famous shahtooshi shawls are made.

Also found in western Ladakh are the much persecuted musk deer and kiangs- the handsome , sleek, rust and white colored wild asses, whose estimated population is around 1,500.

Animals Found in Ladakh:

- Yak
- Nyan
- Urial
- Ibex
- Predators (Snow leopard, Brown bear, Wolf, Lynx)
- Avifauna



Wildlife in Ladakh Reservation Form