Nilgai called Neelgai or blue bull is the largest antelope in Asia and is endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
Hill & Mountain Where Nilgai Found in India
1. Aravalli Hills Rajasthan, Haryana Commonly seen in Sariska Tiger Reserve and surrounding forests.
2. Vindhya Range Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh Nilgai inhabit grasslands and forests on these rocky hills.
3. Satpura Hills Madhya Pradesh Seen in Satpura National Park, along with tigers and other wildlife.
4. Shivalik Hills Lower Himalayas Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana Occasionally seen in open forest patches and riverine areas.
5. Kaimur Hills Bihar Found in Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, which is part of the Vindhyan range.
6. Malwa Plateau Hills Madhya Pradesh Semi-hilly grassland habitats support Nilgai herds.
7. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka rare Nilgai sightings making it the southernmost known record of the species
Keys Facts
🐂Size of Nilgai : Males weigh 180–300 kg stand ~1.5 m at shoulder females slightly smaller.
🐂Appearance: Male Nilgai have bluish-gray coats female nilgai are tawny brown, males have short conical horns, both sexes exhibit white facial and throat patches.
🐂Behavior: Mostly diurnal living in small groups of females and juveniles mature males are often solitary.
🐂 Nilgai Diet: Herbivorous browsers and grazers consume grasses, leaves, fruits, seeds, and even crops.
🐂Nilgai are spotted in semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests like Bhadra Reserve in Karnataka marking rare southern occurrences.
🐂 Nilgai are also seen in urban and agricultural landscapes including Delhi’s green belts and roadside areas.
🐂They adapt well to agricultural areas, often causing crop damage, which has led to them being termed a vermin species in some states.
When can nilgai dangerous
1. If cornered or threatened, neelgai especially a male Nilgai might charge, kick in self-defense.
2. During mating season, males can become more aggressive and territorial.
3. In vehicle collisions especially in rural areas, they can cause accidents, their nilgai large size makes them a road hazard.
4. Neelgai are often considered agricultural pests in India due to crop damage, which sometimes leads to conflict with farmers but even then, they don’t attack unless provoked.
Their population has increased sharply in states like Gujarat 117% rise in a decade to over 250,000 but this has escalated human-wildlife conflicts, particularly crop damage in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.