Rare Four-Horned Antelope Spotted in Pune Hills!

A significant wildlife sighting has occurred on Pune's hills, with the confirmed return of the four-horned antelope, or chousingha, after more than two decades. This vulnerable species, uniquely possessing exactly four horns, was spotted by wildlife enthusiasts as part of the Urban Mammalian Project. This self-funded initiative by four friends seeks to catalog mammalian diversity on Pune's hills, nearly 25 years after a previous study documented over 60 species.

The project, initiated by biologist Arnav Gandhe, investigates the survival of mammals recorded between 1980 and 2000 amidst extensive urbanization. While most sightings have been via camera traps, the chousingha was observed during a field visit to the Bavdhan-Bhugaon-Bhukum hills. The exact location is being withheld to protect the rare animal from undue stress caused by public crowds.

Gandhe noted that animals on Pune's hills actively avoid human interaction, emerging primarily at night due to persistent anthropogenic pressure. He contrasted Pune's situation with Mumbai's successful conservation of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, highlighting Pune's lack of comparable protected habitats. The project has also documented jungle cats, Asian palm civets, barking deer, and langurs.

Experts emphasize that Pune's hills, though not densely forested, are vital urban natural habitats. Fragmentation by roads has disrupted wildlife corridors, making areas like Bavdhan-Bhugaon-Bhukum crucial. Construction or disturbance, especially at night, threatens the survival of the remaining urban wildlife, underscoring the need for greater awareness and protection of these green spaces.