Indian Bison: Gaur and Its Ecological Importance

Category: Environment & Biodiversity

  • The Indian bison is commonly known as the gaur.
  • Scientific name: Bos gaurus.
  • It is the largest extant species of wild cattle.
  • Found in parts of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
  • In India, it occurs mainly in forested landscapes of the Western Ghats, Central India and Northeast India.
  • It is generally associated with forests, grasslands and forest edges.
  • Gaur is an important large herbivore and prey/base species in forest ecosystems.
  • IUCN status: Vulnerable.
  • UPSC Focus: Gaur, Western Ghats, large herbivores, IUCN.