 The Indian Black Buck is known by several names like KalaHiran, Sasin, Iralai Maan and Krishna Jinka. Antilope cervicapra or a subspecies of deer, as it is scientifically called is mostly found in the Indian subcontinent. The average lifespan of the Indian Black Buck is twelve years, which can extend to sixteen years. They are the preys of the dogs and wolves.
Physical Characteristics of Black Buck The male black buck is nearly thirty-two inches in height and weighs about seventy to ninety -five pounds. The upper part of the body is covered with dark brown or black fur while the chest, belly, inner sides of the legs muzzle and chin of the males have white fur. Even the regions near the eyes have white circles. The male black bucks have ringed horns, which can be as long as twenty-eight meters in length and can bend with three or four turns. The young male bucks are light brown in colour but as they grow up nearly three years of age hey turn dark brown or black in colour. The female black bucks are smaller in size than their male counterparts. They are beige or light brown in colour and in most cases the female black bucks do not have horns. Even those female black bucks that have horn they lack the rings and spirals, which their male counterparts have. Sharp eyesight and speed are the defense mechanisms that the black buck employs against the predators. The female black bucks have a gestation period of nearly five months and they give birth to two fawns every year with a gap of six months. The fawn of the black buck joins the group only after two weeks. Females and juveniles are yellowish-fawn to tan and display the same white areas, only with more of a beige tone than the males. Habitat of Black Buck The blackbuck is primarily diurnal, displaying activity mainly during daylight hours. It organizes into three distinct types of small groups such as female groups, male groups, and young bachelor herds. Males frequently engage in lekking, a mating strategy where they establish territories to attract females. These territories are exclusive to the males, but females often enter these areas to forage, providing the males an opportunity to mate. As herbivores, blackbucks primarily graze on low grasses, though they occasionally browse other vegetation. Female blackbucks reach sexual maturity at around eight months but typically do not mate until they are about two years old. Males mature later, at approximately 1.5 years. Mating occurs year-round, and the gestation period lasts about six months, usually resulting in the birth of a single calf. The typical lifespan of a blackbuck ranges from 10 to 15 years. Blackbucks are social animals, rarely found in isolation. Their groups usually consist of fifteen to twenty individuals and can be categorized as female groups, mixed groups, bachelor groups, or groups of territorial males. The territorial males' groups tend to dominate other groups and occupy the primary grazing areas. Distribution of Black Buck in India In India, the black bucks are found nearly everywhere except in the northeastern regions. The open plains of India are their natural habitat and they are considered the fastest running animals in the world. They love on open grasslands, dry thorn and scrublands. Grass is the principal food of the Indian Black Buck although they also eat pods, flowers and fruits. Threat and Conservation of Black Buck During the 20th century, the blackbuck population experienced a significant decline due to excessive hunting, deforestation, and habitat degradation. Illicit killings of blackbucks still occur, particularly in areas where they coexist with nilgai. Before India's independence in 1947, blackbucks and chinkaras were commonly hunted in various princely states using specially trained Asiatic cheetahs. By the 1970s, blackbucks had become locally extinct in several regions. The blackbuck is listed under Appendix III of CITES. In India, hunting blackbucks is prohibited under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The blackbuck inhabits several protected areas across India, including: • Gujarat: Velavadar National Park, Gir Forest National Park • Bihar: Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary • Maharashtra: Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary • Madhya Pradesh: Kanha National Park • Rajasthan: Tal Chhapar Sanctuary, National Chambal Sanctuary, Ranthambhore National Park • Karnataka: Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary • Tamil Nadu: Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary, Guindy National Park • Punjab: Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary Significance of Black Buck in Indian Culture The blackbuck holds significant cultural associations in India. Evidence suggests that this antelope may have been a source of food during the Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1700 BCE), as bone remains have been found at archaeological sites like Dholavira and Mehrgarh. In the Mughal era (16th to 19th centuries), blackbucks were frequently depicted in miniature paintings, often illustrating royal hunts. In contemporary India, villagers generally refrain from harming blackbucks. Certain tribes, such as the Bishnois, hold the blackbuck in high reverence and actively protect it along with other animals. The blackbuck is referenced in Sanskrit texts as "krishna mrig." According to Hindu mythology, the blackbuck is said to draw the chariot of Lord Krishna. It is also considered the vehicle of Vayu (the wind god), Soma (the divine drink), and Chandra (the moon god). In Tamil Nadu, the blackbuck is associated with the Hindu goddess Korravai, while in Rajasthan, the goddess Karni Mata is believed to protect this species. The hide of the blackbuck, known as "krishnajina" in Hindi, is regarded as sacred in Hinduism. |
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Black Buck in India
| The blackbuck, an antelope native to India, is culturally significant and historically revered. Once a common hunting target, it now thrives in protected areas due to conservation efforts. |
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