Indian black buck

Indian Black Buck with the common names like Haran, Krishna Jinka, Krishnasar, Krishna mirga, Kala Hiran, Sasin, Iralai Maan, and Kalveet is an antelope native to India.

This species with the zoological name Antilope cervicapra falls under the genus Antilope and is known to exist amongst other species of the same genus.

There are around 4 subspecies of Indian antelope existing around India. The classification is as below

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Artiodactyla
Family	Bovidae
Genus	Antilope
Species	A. cervicapra

Physical Structure

Black Buck is the most beautiful antelope with the spiral or ringed horns. They have a slender body with short tail. Male antelopes are covered with Dark brown or black colored skin with the ringed horns having three to four twists, whereas the female are covered with pale brown colored skin with no horns.

The under parts of the body like chest and belly have white fur. It also has a white colored ring around the eyes, ears and chin. Initially, the male fawns have a light brown colored skin which later tan to dark color as they become 3 years old.

The young males are addressed as "Bucks"and the young females are called as "Does". They can be seen in herds with the count of 5 to 50 animals. They possess a very sharp eye sight.

The horns are 50 - 70 cm long. The body length ranges from 100 (3.3 feet) to 150 cm (5 feet).

They are 60(2 feet) to 85 cm (2.8 feet) tall at the shoulders. Their tail measures about 10 cm (4 inches) to 17 cm (6.8 inches). They weigh between 25 and 35 kg. They are one of the fastest animals and can run faster than their predators over very long distances.

They are capable of running at a speed of 50 miles per hour to run away from their predators. The maximum life span is 20 years and average age is 12 years.

Sub Species of Indian Black Buck found in India

• There are around four subspecies known to exist around India. They are as follows
• Antilope cervicapra cervicapra
• Antilope cervicapra rajputanae
• Antilope cervicapra centralis
• Antilope cervicapra rupicapra

Distribution and Habitat

The habitat of these antelopes include open grasslands, temperate grasslands, dry thorns, scrub lands, open plains, lightly wooded areas. They are found in various parts of India like Tamil nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Orissa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, along the rivers of Godavari, Krishna, and Pennar in the state of Andhra Pradesh and in central India.
They don't prefer dense forest because the species aren't let to move fast when they protect themselves from their predators. They consume more water and hence can be found in the areas where water supply is abundant.

During the colder seasons, they are diurnal and active throughout the day time. During the summer season they can be seen grazing in the open areas and rest themselves under the trees. The herd of 5 - 50 occupies 200 - 300 acres of land. Other than India they are found in Pakistan, Texas and Nepal.

Black Buck National Park:Black Buck or Velavadar National Park which has a grassland ecosystem is located in Saurashtra region of Gujarat with an area of about 34.08 sq.km.

It has implemented the conservation program for animals like Black Buck, wolf and Florican. The other fauna here are foxes, jackals, wild pigs, hares and Jungle Cats.

Bandhavgarh National Park: Bandhavgarh National Park is located at Madhya Pradesh, India with an area of about 450 square kilometers. The thick forest of Bandhavgarh National Park sits in between the cliffs of the Vindhyan Mountains. The forest has wildlife attractions like Black Buck, Northern plain gray languar, Indian leopard, Elephants, Tiger, Nilgai, Chital, Chinkara, Indian Muntjac Chital, Sambar, Wild Boar and Fox or Golden Jackal. Elephant safari and Jeep safari are conducted in order to view all the wildlife of Bandhavgarh National park.

Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary: Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary is the dry deciduous and protected area located in Thootukudi district of Tamilnadu, South India with an area of 16.41 square kilometers. It has the natural population of Blackbuck Antelope. The other fauna here are spotted deer, macaques, Jungle cat, Monkeys, Wild cat, Mongoose, Black naped Hare, etc. ,

Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary: Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary (PCWBS) with a rich biodiversity is located in Nagapattinam of Tamilnadu, South India with an area of 21.47 sq.km. This sanctuary has been involved in conservation of Black Buck. Other than Black buck it includes various fauna like Spotted Deer, Jackal, Monkey, Wild Boar, Short-nosed Fruit Bat, Small Indian Civet, Indian Grey Mongoose, Star Tortoise, Black-naped Hare, Feral Pony and Jungle Cat.

The other national pack and sanctuary where Black buck is found are

Abohar wildlife sanctuary (Punjab), Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Rajasthan), Tal Chhapar Sanctuary (Rajasthan ),

Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand ),Gir Forest National Park (Gujarat), Guindy National Park (Tamil Nadu), Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Kanha National Park(Madhya Pradesh), Maidenahalli Blackbuck Reserve( Karnataka),

Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park(Andhra Pradesh), Pilikula Biological Park, Mangalore(Karnataka), Ranthambore National Park(Rajasthan), Rehakuri Sanctuary (Maharashtra), KrushnaMruga Abhayaranya, Ranebennur (Karnataka), Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu).

Food Habits

Black Buck are the plant eating animals and mainly graze on soft grasses and eat pods, flowers, fruits, shrubs, herbs, leaves. They require more water in addition to their diet.

Mating Behaviour

The mating season of these antelope is between August and October or March and April. The male is mature at the age of 3 years and the female at the age of 2 years. To attract the female, the male poses themselves in various styles like holding their nose up and placing their horns parallel to the back. The male is involved in rutting activities throughout the year which involves fighting with other males with their horns.

During the breeding season the males create a territory with an area of 1 to 17 hectares which is away from the rival males and has large number of females in the area. The gestation period lasts for about 280-300 days after which they deliver one fawn in the small bushes or amid tall grasses in order to protect their young from the predators. The fawn is seen hidden in the bush for a week and the mother weans the fawn every few hour interval. When they are two weeks old they join the herd but stay along with their mother till they become one year old.

Population and Statistics

The Population estimate states that the number has been increased to 50,000 in the recent years compared to the previous population estimate (22,000   24,000).

The population increase could be seen in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Gujarat.

It is listed in Appendix III of CITES. International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red list has classified the species as 'Near Threatened' with subject to the growth in human population, increasing live stock numbers and economic development.

In certain areas due to habitat loss the numbers of these species are declining. The approximate population densities of black buck include 1 animal per 2 hectares.

Threats to Indian Black Bucks

The major threats declining the Black Buck numbers are Poaching, Predation, Habitat loss, Overgrazing, Inbreeding and diseases. The habitat of the antelopes are the open plains which are being destroyed by the humans as the population increases and eventually they are being left with small areas. The grass lands are overgrazed by the livestocks which results in the food loss. They are hunted often for their hide and flesh.

Eventhough the law prohibits the hunting of the endangered species, still the poaching persists. These species are attacked by bovine disease since they are exposed to domesticated cattle. The open plains or areas are being fenced and used as parking spaces which lead to the habitat and food destruction for Black bucks. Some are killed in road accidents. At times are killed by their predators which include cheetah, leopard and wolf.

Conservation Effort in India

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 has taken steps to protect these species from becoming extinct. The persons who are not abiding the rules are imprisoned. There are some instances which can prove this. India's leading bollywood film star Salman Khan has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for killing black bucks and Chinkara by intense protest from Bishoni ethnic group.

Legendary Cricketer Late Mansur Ali Khan Patadui has also been involved in poaching of Black Bucks and has been arrested subject to poaching. Currently, the Black Buck is known to be stable with 50,000 numbers.

In Hindu Mythology, Krishna Jinka or Black Buck is considered sacred and believed to be the carrier for the Chandrama, the god of Moon.

The epic Garuda Purana states that the Black Buck gains prosperity to the place where they live.

The skin of Black Bucks is used to make the 'Bratabanda', a secret thread which Brahmins wear after Upanayanam. In Buddhism, a pair of buck represents Buddha. The horns and skin are believed as the sacred object by Hindus.

Indian Black Buck as an Indian state animal

Krishna Jinka or Black Buck is the state animal of Andhra Pradesh, an Indian state.

Black Buck as a symbol

Krishna Jinka is believed to be a symbol of prosperity, purity and peace.

Interesting Facts

• Black Buck can run at a maximum speed of 80 km per hour.
• The females raise the alarm sound and leap over the air when they encounter some threat.
• Their maximum life span is 20 years and minimum could be 12 years.
• They are being hunted for their skin and horns which has a demand in market.