10 Fascinating Animals Found In The Great Himalayan National Park

Snow LeopardA rare apex predator in GHNP’s high-altitude zones, the elusive snow leopard preys on bharal and khars. First confirmed sighting occurred in 1997 near the Tirthan River’s headwaters.Western TragopanThe vibrant Western Tragopan, Himachal Pradesh’s state bird, thrives in GHNP—a vulnerable species endemic to the Western Himalayas with the park housing the largest known population.Himalayan TahrCommon across steep cliffs up to 5,000 m, the agile Himalayan tahr is an important prey species for higher-elevation predators like the snow leopard.Himalayan Musk DeerThese solitary deer, distinguished by tusk-like incisors and musk glands, occur at high densities (up to 9/km²) in GHNP forests and are critically important to conservation efforts.Himalayan Brown BearInhabiting alpine meadows above 3,500 m, the Himalayan brown bear is typically herbivorous but occasionally preys on livestock, symbolising forest-to-meadow biodiversity transitions.Himalayan Black BearAdapted for tree-climbing and hibernation, the Himalayan black bear roams mixed forests, weighing up to 180 kg pre-hibernation, marked by a characteristic white chest crescent.Blue Sheep (Bharal)Known for its bluish-grey coat, the bharal inhabits alpine slopes above 3,500 m, living in herds of 5–20. It remains a key prey species for snow leopards.Himalayan GoralVisible on grassy ridges at dawn and dusk between 1,000–3,000 m, the goral is a well-known goat-antelope with a distinctive white throat patch and agile mountain habits.Himalayan SerowA solitary, sturdy mountain goat-antelope, the serow inhabits moist gorges with thick vegetation at altitudes around 2,000–4,000 m. First recorded in GHNP in 2015.Cheer PheasantEndangered and distinctively plumaged with loud calls, the cheer pheasant inhabits GHNP’s scrub-covered slopes and grasslands, often seen in pairs or small groups during dawn or dusk.Beyond Tigers: 10 Super Predators That Rule India’s WildRead More