Tahr Very Much!

I certainly was very thankful that this pair of Tahr stood still for their portraits, but as I couldn't decide which of these local neighbours was more handsome, I decided a diptych would be appropriate.

Himalayan Tahr are a pest species in the High Country; introduced from India and Nepal, they roam in flocks browsing on the native plant species that evolved in splendid isolation without large mammals. Tahr not only eat vulnerable plants, but also damage habitats by trampling on them and compacting soils.

Eradication of them is not a feasible prospect due to their habitat and the sometimes inaccessible places that Tahr roam - they are agile, surefooted mountaineers! instead the Department of Conservation try to control their numbers. They're also a popular trophy species for recreational and commercial hunters, which also contributes to population control. 

The males are distinguished from the females by their slightly larger size and their thick lustrous 'mane'. The Rangitata Valley is one place where it is easy to spot them close to the road, hence the closeup. They may be a pest, but like many introduced species that we fight hard to control,  they are an incredibly handsome thing.