Hundreds of years of evolution results in a species. Unique in many ways- most exhibit some extraordinary traits, habits or behavior patterns. Mostly these have something to do with the habitat they live in. It is like an umbilical cord between mother nature and its creation, tied in delicate and symbiotic balance. The Niligiri Thar is as surefooted an animal as you will see. It negotiates the steep slopes, tricky crevices and unsure footing of the mountain sides they inhabit with an ease which is unthinkable to the best of those Rock climbers and Mountaineers. Yet this gift of mother nature in grace and skill takes a clumsy and cruel fall when the simplest of malevolent human cunning goes to work. I have read in the papers today of how the Poachers in kollam distict in kerela place banana leaves covered with oil at the opening of a Cave located on a steep cliff in which a flock of the Niligiri Thar lives .When the goats race into the cave they land on the oiled leaves this makes them lose their grip and they slip into the gorge below, where the poachers will be waiting.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/28/stor...2856330400.htm

Roopak