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Source– This post on Four-horned antelope is based on the article “MP: Rare 4-Horned Antelope Sighted In Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve” published in “The Free Press Journal” on 11th April 2024.

Why in the News?

A rare four-horned antelope has been sighted for the first time in the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.

Aspects	Description
About	1. The four-horned antelope, also known as Chousingha, is a small bovid antelope. 2. Its scientific name is Tetracerus quadricornis. 3. These antelopes are the smallest found in Asia.
Characteristic features	1. The four-horned antelope has a yellowish-brown to reddish coat, a slender build, small legs, and a short tail. 2. One of their unique features is the presence of four horns. Only males grow horns, with one pair located between the ears and another on the forehead. 3. These antelopes are typically diurnal and solitary, although they can sometimes be seen in loose groups of three to four.
Distribution	The four-horned antelope is endemic to India and Nepal. In India, their range extends from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to the Deccan Plateau in the south.
Habitat	They predominantly inhabit open, dry, deciduous forests in hilly terrain. They prefer areas with significant grass cover or heavy undergrowth and are usually found close to water bodies.
Conservation Status	IUCN Red List: Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Aspects	Description
About	1. Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve is spread across Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur districts in Madhya Pradesh. 2. It is the seventh tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh. 3. The reserve will encompass areas within the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuary.
Characteristic Features	1. The Singorgarh Fort is located within the reserve. 2. The reserve will include areas within the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuary. 3. A green corridor will be developed to connect Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) with Durgavati facilitating the natural movement of tigers to the new reserve.
Rivers	Parts of the reserve fall under the Narmada and Yamuna River basins.
Vegetation	The vegetation in the reserve is of the dry deciduous type.
Flora	The chief floral elements include Teak, Saja, Dhaora, Ber, Amla, and others.
Fauna	The reserve is home to a variety of animals, including tigers, leopards, wolves, jackals, Indian foxes, striped hyenas, Nilgai, Chinkara, Chital, Sambhar, Black Buck, Barking deer, Common Langur, and Rhesus Macaque.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment