Rare albino Himalayan tahr recorded in Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary, Chamba

Key facts

• A rare white female albino Himalayan tahr was recorded in the Dharol beat of Thanari Goth within the Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary at Bharmour in Chamba district.
• The Chamba Wildlife Division posted a video of the albino tahr on its social media handles.
• Experts state that only about 0.05 per cent of the Himalayan tahr population exhibits the pure white albino trait.
• Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife), Chamba, Kuldeep Jamwal said the sighting reflected the rich biodiversity of the Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary and highlighted the ecological importance of the region.
• Jamwal noted that the albino tahr is more vulnerable to predators due to its distinctive white coloration.
• The Chamba Wildlife Division recently recorded a sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) in high-altitude protected areas of Chamba district through camera traps for the first time.
• Authorities also recorded a Himalayan brown bear through a camera trap in the Gamgul Wildlife Sanctuary in Churah subdivision.