BHARAL OR HIMALAYAN BLUE SHEEP
Pseudois nayaur

These sheep are well adapted to their homes in the harsh conditions of the Himalayan foothills of Nepal and Tibet. The name “bharal” is a Hindi word, meaning “blue sheep” as their coat, although slate grey, has a bluish sheen.

Both males and females have horns although the males have much longer, curved horns than the females.

Bharal have excellent camouflage in their rocky Himalayan home and will stand motionless when approached, making them almost invisible. If seen they will scamper up the cliff face and then stand still, once more disappearing from sight. Their main predators are the snow leopard and eagles.

Bharals’ diet consists of grass, lichens, mosses and other available plants. They are either solitary or will live in small groups of same sex animals particularly in the winter when they congregate in valleys.

Our bharals are young males but bharals can live for up to 15 years. The species is considered to be low risk but near threatened.