 Nemorhaedus
baileyi
Red goral |
Taxonomy | Description
| Reproduction | Ecology
| Behavior | Distribution
| Conservation | Remarks
| Literature |
| Taxonomy
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Nemorhaedus baileyi [Pocock, 1914].
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Citation: J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 23:32.
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Type locality: China, Tibet, Bomi, Dre on banks of Yigron Tso.
The taxonomic record (above) is taken from Wilson and Reeder (1993). The
spelling of the genus of gorals is rather inconsistent - many authors use
the spelling Naemorhedus after Hamilton Smith (1827), which Groves
and Grubb (1985) show to be incorrect. While several authors group
all gorals into a single species (Nemorhaedus goral), the red goral
is now generally regarded to be a valid species. The range of this
species neatly separates the range of N. goral in the Himalayas from
that of N. caudatus and N. griseus in eastern China (Groves
and Grubb, 1985).
There are two tentative subspecies; the Tibetan red goral N. baileyi
baileyi from Chinese Tibet and the Burmese red goral N. b.
cranbrooki from Assam and Upper Myanmar (Groves and Grubb, 1985).
These two subspecies were originally described as separate species
and one may still find current references to N. cranbrooki as a valid
species, although it is generally considered to be synonymous with N.
baileyi (Wilson and Reeder, 1993). Unfortunately, great confusion
has resulted from this synonymy. There is virtually no further information
available on animals which resemble the type specimen of N. baileyi,
and thus many reports of red goral from China use the name N. (b.)
cranbrooki when discussing red-colored gorals, based on morphological
similarities to Hayman's description (1961). However, if geography
is the principal differentiation between the tentative subspecies (as per
Groves and Grubb, 1985), Chinese accounts of N. cranbrooki should
be taken as referring to N. b. baileyi, rather than the implied N.
b. cranbrooki. This situation has not been resolved.
Interestingly, when describing the type specimen for N.
cranbrooki, Hayman (1961) raised the possibility that
cranbrooki and baileyi might represent the same species due
to the proximity in ranges, suggesting (and then discounting) that the deeper
red coloration of cranbrooki (from specimens collected from February
to April) might be the winter pelage, and the browner coat of baileyi
(type specimen collected in July) the summer coat.
General Characteristics
The red goral is a geographically isolated form of goral, and the smallest
of the presently recognized species (Hayman, 1961; Rabinowitz, 1999). Body
weights range from 20-30 kg, while the length of the head and body is
approximately 100 cm. Records of captive animals show that females
tend to be slightly larger than males, although there is otherwise very little
difference between the sexes (Zhang, 1987).
Reported measurements for red goral (Nemorhaedus baileyi) |
| Source |
Adult Weight |
Head & Body Length |
Shoulder Height
|
Tail Length |
Hayman, 1961
for N. cranbrooki |
- |
97.5 cm 
(n=1) |
57.5 cm
(n=1) |
10 cm
(n=1) |
Hla Aung, 1967
for N. cranbrooki |
28.1 kg 
(n=1) |
99 cm
(n=1) |
43 cm
(n=1) |
- |
Nowak, 1991
for Nemorhaedus |
22-35 kg |
82-130 cm |
57-78.5 cm |
8-20 cm |
Pocock, 1914
for N. baileyi |
- |
108.6 cm
(n=1) |
64.1 cm
(n=1) |
8.3 cm
(n=1) |
| Rabinowitz, 1999 |
- |
- |
- |
7.0 cm |
Sheng Helin et al., 1999
for N. cranbrooki |
20-30 kg |
93-103 cm |
57-61 cm |
10-12 cm |
Zhang, 1987
for N. cranbrooki |
22.6-28.6 kg
27.5-30.6 kg |
93-97 cm
95-103 cm |
57-59 cm
59-61 cm |
10.3-12.0 cm |
The coat of the type specimen of N. (b.) baileyi, described
by Pocock (1914), is a uniform dark brown without grizzling (dark bands on
individual hairs) as seen in other gorals. As a result of this coloration,
the type specimen is sometimes referred to as the "brown goral". The
sides and belly are paler than the back, while the insides of thighs and
the groin are dirty white. A black stripe extends down the spine from
the crown of the head to the tail. Black patches are present on the
front surfaces of the forelegs, while two white patches mark the chest near
the bases of the forelegs. The tail of the type specimen is short and
mostly black. There is a dark patch on the bridge of the nose above
rhinarium, and the upper and lower lips have a narrow white rim. A
very small white "bib" patch is present on the upper throat.
Apart from this isolated record, descriptions of the red goral are very
consistent across the species' range; there are many similarities with Pocock's
description of N. baileyi, but some significant differences as well.
As the name suggests, the pelage of the red goral is an overall
reddish-brown or bright foxy-red, and is typically long, soft, and quite
shaggy (Hayman, 1961; Hla Aung, 1967; Zhang, 1987; Sheng Helin et al.,
1999). Each hair is light brown at the base and is tipped with red
(Hayman, 1961). The upper back and sides are typically darker and deeper
in color, and a black stripe about 2 cm wide runs down the spine from the
top of the head to the tip of the tail. The undersides are lighter
than the back, typically a light buff color (Hayman, 1961; Zhang, 1987; Sheng
Helin et al., 1999). The color deepens on the lower throat and chest to a
rich chestnut red, and a narrow black patch may be present; in some individuals
this extends as a dark stripe down the midline of the belly (Hayman, 1961;
Zhang, 1987). The scrotum of males is white (Hayman, 1961).
The legs are colored the same foxy-red as the body and typically lack the
black patches described by Pocock (1914) (Hayman, 1961). The tail of
N. baileyi is much shorter than that of other gorals, rarely measuring
over 10 cm (Zhang, 1987; Rabinowitz, 1999; Sheng Helin et al., 1999).
The dark dorsal stripe extends and expands onto the tail, which is
mostly black (Hayman, 1961; Hla Aung, 1967). The hair on the tail is
long, and forms a terminal tuft approximately 12.7 cm long (Hayman, 1961).
The face of the red goral is relatively uniform in color, being of a slightly
more tawny color than the body (Hayman, 1961). A forelock of long
black-based hairs occurs on the forehead - the crest is especially dark between
the horns (Hayman, 1961). In striking contrast to this dark crest,
a small white spot is often present between the horns on the crown of the
head; this spot tends to be very prominent in young animals but then fades
with maturity (Hayman, 1961; Hla Aung, 1967; Zhang, 1987). On the bridge
of the nose, just above the rhinarium (moist part of the muzzle), is a dark
patch which is also seen in Pocock's type specimen for N.
baileyi (Hayman, 1961). The margins of the upper and lower
lips are whitish, while the rest of the lips are dark (Hayman, 1961).
Under the chin is a small dark brown interramal patch (Hayman, 1961).
Most goral species have a large white patch on the upper throat; this
is generally absent in red goral (Hayman, 1961; Hla Aung, 1967), although
some authors (e.g. Zhang, 1987) report that the throat is paler than the
rest of the body There is no distinct mane on the neck (Zhang, 1987;
Sheng Helin et al., 1999). The ears of the red goral are shorter
than other gorals, with a fawn outer surface and white insides (Hayman, 1961;
Hla Aung, 1967). Groves and Grubb (1985) write that the skull of N.
baileyi is intermediate between other gorals and serows; Zhang (1987)
gives an overview of skull measurements from ten specimens.
Both sexes have a pair of short, arcing black horns, which have an average
curvature of 18o - a greater curve than those of N.
goral (Zhang, 1987; Rabinowitz, 1999; Sheng Helin et al.,
1999). The horns bear transverse ridges (an average of eight per horn)
along most of their length, with the horns of males typically having more
rings than females (Rabinowitz, 1999). The tips are smooth and sharp
(Sheng Helin et al., 1999). Horn lengths for both sexes typically
fall within the range of 7.5-16 cm, averaging 11.2 cm along the outer curve
in specimens examined by Rabinowitz (1999, see also Sheng Helin et al.,
1999). Those of males tend to be slightly longer than females (12.5-16
cm compared to 7.5-15 cm, respectively), as well as being thicker, more curved,
and more widely-spaced (Zhang, 1987; Rabinowitz, 1999). The basal
circumference of the horns averages 6.8 cm (range of 4.3-9.4 cm), and the
tip-to-tip spread averages 6.5 cm (range of 2.8-11.8 cm) (Rabinowitz, 1999).
Ontogeny and Reproduction
Breeding occurs in December (or, as Xie (2006) reports, September to November),
and frequent copulation is observed while the female is in estrus (Zhang,
1987; Sheng Helin et al., 1999). The gestation period is about
6 months in length (Zhang, 1987; Sheng Helin et al., 1999). The
single offspring is typically born in June or July, although births earlier
in the season (April) have been recorded (Zhang, 1987). At the Shang
Hai Zoo, weaning occurs at 3.5 months (Zhang, 1987).
Sexual maturity of captive individuals occurs at 1.5 years for females (giving
birth at two years of age), while males begin to demonstrate rutting behavior
at three years. The estrus cycle is 17-23 days in length, and 10-20
copulation attempts may occur during the female's period of sexual receptiveness,
which lasts for 6 to 72 hours (Zhang et al., 1993 in Xie, 2006).
Ecology and Behavior
N. baileyi lives at higher elevations compared to other gorals, typically
at altitudes of 2,000-4,500 meters (Zhang, 1987; Rabinowitz, 1999; Sheng
Helin et al., 1999). The region in which they live is
topographically complex with abundant rainfall: 2000 mm annually, which falls
primarily from May to August (Zhang, 1987). This region supports one
of the largest tracts of primitive coniferous woodland in Asia, which is
the primary habitat for the red goral (Zhang, 1987; Wang Sung et al.,
1997; Sheng Helin et al., 1999).
In the summer, red goral are found in the upper margins of forests, often
being sighted above the treeline in meadows and thickets (Zhang, 1987; Sheng
Helin et al., 1999). As the snowline creeps lower in winter,
red goral undertake a seasonal migration, moving to lower-elevation mixed
deciduous and coniferous forests or glades and thickets below the snow line
(Zhang, 1987; Zhang, 1991 in Wang Sung et al., 1997; Sheng Helin et
al., 1999). Locals report that red goral are most frequently observed
at lower elevations from November through to March, returning to higher altitudes
in April (Rabinowitz, 1999).
Early reports of this species in the field indicated a remarkable
"tameness", in that they could be closely approached by humans without fleeing
(see Hayman, 1961). This is likely explained by their lack of exposure
to humans due to the ruggedness and remoteness of their habitat, as gorals
have a general reputation of being extremely shy and tough to approach (Hayman,
1961). With high levels of hunting at the present time, it is unlikely
that N. baileyi remains this fearless. Leopards and jackals
appear to be the principal predators for this species (Zhang, 1987).
Lichens are a primary food source for N. baileyi, especially
Usnea species (Zhang, 1987). Grasses and weeds as well
as tender stems, leaves, and twigs from shrubs are also eaten, but no detailed
study of the dietary habits of this species have yet been performed (Zhang,
1987; Sheng Helin et al., 1999) At the Shanghai Zoo, red
goral were fed grasses and leaves from Ulmus pumila, Poulownia
fortunei, and Sophora japonica (Zhang, 1987). This species
usually drinks daily in the early morning prior to foraging (Zhang, 1987).
Behavior
N. baileyi is primarily diurnal, with most activity occurring in the
early morning and evening (Sheng Helin et al., 1999). During
the day, red goral graze on sunny slopes, retreating to rocky cliffs at night
where they bed down on sheltered ledges (Zhang, 1987; Sheng Helin et
al., 1999) As with most members of the
Caprinae, red goral are very
agile and move with easy speed amongst rough terrain (Hla Aung, 1967;
Zhang, 1987). A captive female in Rangoon Zoo was recorded jumping
over a 1.8 meter high fence from a standing start (Hla Aung, 1967).
This species retreats up cliffs when threatened (Zhang, 1987).
Red goral are primarily solitary, although females tend to be accompanied
by their latest youngster (Zhang, 1987; Sheng Helin et al., 1999).
N. baileyi is occasionally seen in small groups, typically with
three animals. The composition of these groups is usually a male along
with a female and her offspring, or a female with her offspring from the
previous two years (Zhang, 1987).
The behavior of this species during the breeding season (September to
November) is presented by Xie (2006). During the rut, males will follow
females closely, being in frequent naso-gential contact (often accompanied
by smelling and licking) in order to determine the onset of estrus.
Non-receptive females will either flee from the advances of males or threaten
them by butting the body of the male with their head. Receptive females
tend to stand still as the male approaches, signalling their estrus by raising
the tail. Flehmen (lip curl) was observed during the majority of encounters
between a male and a receptive female.
A "zer . . . zer" or "ze-ze-ze" call - made by males during breeding season
to attract females - is one of the few reported vocalizations (Zhang, 1987;
Xie, 2006). Xie (2006) also noted that females produce a whistling
noise (audible to humans at 500 meters) upon approach of a male conspecific.
Genetics
The full karyotype for N. b. cranbrooki is presented in Huang et
al. (2005); 2n = 56 for this species.
Distribution
Red goral are endemic to the region where the borders of India, Myanmar,
and China meet (Groves and Grubb, 1985). In China, N. baileyi
inhabits northwest Yunnan Province and southeastern Xizang (Tibet),
including the prefectures of Boni, Nying, Mainling, and Medog (Wang Sung
et al., 1997; Sheng Helin et al., 1999). Outside of China,
it is found in Kachin State of Myanmar and northeastern Arunachal Pradesh
in India (Fox and Johnsingh, 1997; Salter, 1997)
Countries: China, India, Myanmar (IUCN, 2004).
Range Map (Compiled from Fox and Johnsingh, 1997; Salter, 1997;
Wang Sung et al., 1997)
Conservation Status
N. baileyi is classified as vulnerable [criteria A2cd] by the
IUCN (2006), and both subspecies individually bear this designation. This
species is listed on Appendix I of CITES (2006). From data collected
in 1987 and 1988, the Tibetan population of this species was estimated to
number between 810 and 1,370 animals (see Wang Sung et al., 1997).
Hunting is a major threat to the continued survival of this species;
Rabinowitz (1999) reports that it is the most heavily-harvested ungulate
in its range. Habitat loss - due to forestry practices and clearing
for agriculture - also poses a major threat (Wang Sung et al., 1997;
IUCN, 2006). Red goral inhabit several protected regions, including
Hkakabo-Razi National Park in Myanmar, and Gangxiang, Muotuo, Xiaca, and
Medoq in Tibet (Rabinowitz, 1999; Wang Sung et al., 1997). There
is a small captive breeding group in the Shang Hai Zoo (Wang Sung et
al., 1997).
Remarks
The genus Nemorhaedus is derived from the Latin words nemus
(genitive nemoris), meaning "forest", and haedus, meaning a
young goat.
This species is named after Lieutenant-Colonel F. M. Bailey, who explorer
the "frontier region" extensively prior to the first World War. While
he collected the brown type specimen for N. b. baileyi, he also made
note of bright red goral-skin coats made by locals in the Mishmi Hills (see
Hayman, 1961). The first "red" specimen was collected by the Earl of
Cranbrook in upper Burma along with Captain F. Kingdon Ward in 1931.
Although an unusual specimen, no formal description or name was given
to this new red goral until 1961. This description was jump-started
by the procurement of a rug composed of three red skins of an unidentified
species by H. L. Cooper of Guernsey. The skins in the rug, while somewhat
faded, closely resembled the Earl of Cranbrook's skin, leading Hayman (1961)
to name this (sub)species after the Earl.
Goral is a native name from eastern India (Gotch, 1995).
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Local names
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Chi Ban Ling [Phonetic Chinese -
http://www.shanghaizoo.cn/en/paradise/raredetails.asp?id=81]
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Ra-mar [Tibetan -
http://www.tew.org/wildlife/wildlife.species.html]
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