The blackbuck or Indian antelope Antilope cervicapra is a medium-sized ungulate now endemic to India (it is Regionally Extinct in Bangladesh and Pakistan). It has been placed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and is categorized as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Blackbuck formerly occurred across almost the whole of the Indian subcontinent but have disappeared from many areas as a result of habitat destruction through conversion to agricultural use.
In Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state in which blackbuck survive in the wild, there are a few widely separated populations. An additional group of blackbuck was discovered recently by KN in Chennai's suburban forests, in Thaiyur Reserve Land, c. 40 km from Tambaram, in Kanchipuram District. One adult male, one adult female and four juveniles were discovered in July 2014. In a subsequent visit three adult males, nine adult females, 11 juveniles and three fawns were seen.
Discussions with local people indicated that 200–250 blackbuck may inhabit this 8 km2 degraded area. Further research is required within and around the Reserve Land to assess the population's size. Blackbuck inhabit grasslands that are relatively open, with short grass, and avoid thick cover. In Tamil the blackbuck is called veli maan (antelope of the open areas). The species is well adapted to semi-desert habitat and can tolerate heat and drought. Thaiyur Reserve Land is, however, threatened by urbanization and neighbouring industries, and the traffic on the nearby Thaiyur–Kelambakkam road is a direct threat to blackbuck. There is a need for immediate action from the appropriate authorities to take the necessary steps to conserve this population of blackbuck, which is one of the few thriving populations of the species outside protected areas in Tamil Nadu. This is also an opportunity: Thaiyur Reserve Land and the blackbuck could serve as an ecology laboratory for local students and could be used to educate the suburban public about conservation.
