Mithun (Gayal): Bos frontalis, Northeast India

UPSC Reference: Environment

Key Facts

  • Common name: Mithun/Gayal

  • Scientific name: Bos frontalis

  • A large, semi-domesticated bovine.

  • Also called the "cattle of the mountain."

  • Major concentration: Northeast India.

  • Arunachal Pradesh has a particularly large population.

  • Also found in:

    • Bhutan

    • Myanmar

    • China

    • Bangladesh

State Animal

Mithun is the state animal of:

  • Arunachal Pradesh

  • Nagaland

Conservation

  • IUCN status: Vulnerable.

Current Context

An outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) affected mithun populations in Arunachal Pradesh in 2026.

Key Pointer

Mithun → Gayal → Bos frontalis → Northeast → Vulnerable