Tibetan Antelope (Chiru)

A recent study has flagged emerging wildlife crime hotspots in Punjab, raising concerns over illegal hunting and trafficking in a state where forest cover is less than 3.6% of its geographical area.

The findings highlight how poaching and illegal trade networks are adapting to human-dominated landscapes by exploiting gaps in monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. Investigators noted that such activities are increasingly shifting to regions with limited forest cover, making detection more challenging.

A major revelation from the study was the seizure of 201 shahtoosh shawls, indicating the killing of hundreds of Tibetan antelope, also known as the chiru. This points to strong links with international wildlife trafficking networks.

The Tibetan antelope is a high-altitude species native to the Tibetan Plateau, found across regions of Qinghai and Xinjiang, as well as parts of Ladakh and the Karakoram. It belongs to the Bovidae family, though it is often described as a goat-antelope.

Male chiru are distinguished by their long, vertical horns, which can grow up to 60 cm in length. The species is particularly known for its ultra-fine underfur, used to produce the highly prized shahtoosh shawls.

Conservationists warn that the continued demand for shahtoosh products poses a serious threat to the survival of the species, despite international bans and protection measures.

Source: TH & Others