Antilope Cervicapra Blackbuck in Nepal : Population Status,Conservation and Translocation Issues of Blackbuck in the Blackbuck Conservation Area,Bardiya, Nepal

Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra) is the elegant gazelle like animal regarded as the most handsome member of the "Bovidae" family. The Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra cervicapra), locally known as Krishnasar, is one of the 26 protected mammals of Nepal. It is endemic to the South Asian continent where it is the sole representive of the genus "Antelope". It was once the most ubiquitous of the larger wild animals of this region. It belongs to the subfamily 'Antelopinae', order "Artiodactyla" which is clover hoofed mammals or ungulates having two or four weight bearing toes on each foot, hence the name even toed ungulates. Blackbuck is one of the protected species under National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 and enlisted as endangered and listed under Appendix II of CITES. Blackbuck is primarily a grazer and prefers flat to slightly undulating terrain.