Tibetan Antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), known as Cheeru in Nepali belongs to order Artiodactyla and family Bovidae. Globally the species is native to India, China and Nepal. The species may occur within the Annapurna Conservation Area, Shey Phoksundo National Park, and districts of Humla and possibly other districts in area adjoining the Chinese border. The Tibetan Antelope is a trans-boundary species suspected to move from China (Tibet) into North West Nepal. Major threat to Tibetan antelope is global demand for high prized wool used in weaving shahtoosh shawls. It takes the hides of 3-5 antelope to make one of these shawls. It is listed as endangered species by IUCN red list category. While nationally it is categorized as Data Deficient (possibly regionally extinct). The legal status of this species in Nepal is Protected (Appendix I) National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 and Appendix I in CITES.
Reference
