The Bos gaurus, commonly known as the Gaur or Indian Bison, is the largest wild bovine species in the world. This imposing animal inhabits natural habitats across South and Southeast Asia.
Physical Traits and Natural Habitat
Adult male gaur are significantly larger and heavier than females, reaching shoulder heights of up to 2.2 meters (7 feet) and weighing between 840 kg and 1,500 kg. They are characterized by a prominent dorsal ridge and a high, convex ridge on the forehead between their horns, which bends forward to create a deep hollow in the profile of their upper head.
Their coats are dark brown to black in adult males, with females and younger individuals displaying a more reddish-brown hue. A striking feature is the white or pale “stockings” on their lower legs, providing a stark contrast to their dark bodies. Both sexes have large, curved horns that grow upwards from the sides of their heads, featuring a yellow base and black tips.
Gaur primarily inhabit large, undisturbed forest tracts, favoring evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forests, though they can also be found in dry deciduous forests and grasslands. Their geographical distribution spans across South and Southeast Asia, including countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. These bovines prefer hilly terrain but can be found from sea level up to altitudes of at least 2,800 meters.
Daily Life and Social Dynamics
Gaur are herbivores, feeding on grasses, leaves, shoots, fruits, and bark. They are both grazers and browsers, showing a preference for the upper parts of plants, including leaf blades, stems, seeds, and flowers of grass species. During the summer, they may also consume the bark of trees like cashew and teak.
Gaur are most active in the morning and evening, but may become nocturnal in areas with significant human disturbance. Despite their large size, gaur are known for their shy and elusive nature. They are obligatory drinkers and visit water bodies at least once a day.
Gaur live in small herds, often comprising females and their young, led by a dominant female. Adult males are solitary or form bachelor herds, joining mixed-sex herds during the breeding season. The mating season involves competitive displays among males, with loud bellows heard over 1.6 kilometers away. After a gestation period of approximately 275 days, females give birth to a single calf, which nurses for seven to twelve months.
Threats and Conservation Efforts
Gaur populations face several threats across their range. Habitat loss and fragmentation are primary concerns, driven by deforestation, agricultural expansion, logging, and human encroachment. This loss of undisturbed forest tracts directly impacts their ability to find sufficient forage and water.
Poaching is a threat, as gaur are hunted for their meat, horns, and for use in traditional medicine. Disease transmission from domestic livestock, such as rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease, further jeopardizes wild gaur populations. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies the gaur as “Vulnerable,” indicating a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect this species. These initiatives include the establishment and maintenance of protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, where gaur populations can thrive with reduced human disturbance. Anti-poaching measures, including increased patrols and community involvement programs, are implemented to curb illegal hunting. Additionally, some conservation programs focus on maintaining corridors between fragmented habitats to allow for genetic exchange and broader movement of herds. The conservation breeding of gaur has also been initiated in some zoos under programs like those of the Central Zoo Authority in India.