tahr

or thar

[ tahr ]

noun

1. any of several Old World wild goats of the genus Hemitragus, as H. jemlahicus Himalayan tahr, introduced into New Zealand, having a long mane and short, stout, recurving horns: most are endangered or threatened in their native regions.

tahr

/ tɑː /

noun

1. any of several goatlike bovid mammals of the genus Hemitragus, such as H. jemlahicus ( Himalayan tahr ), of mountainous regions of S and SW Asia, having a shaggy coat and curved horns

Word History and Origins

Origin of tahr¹

First recorded in 1832, tahr is from the Nepali word thār

Word History and Origins

Origin of tahr¹

C19: variation of Nepali thār

Example Sentences

The Himalayan tahr was introduced to New Zealand in 1904 as hunting game for sports shooters, and has thrived in the rugged, alpine environment of the South Island.

From The Guardian

The tahr’s significant weight and solid hooves are destroying precious snow tussock in sub-alpine regions.

From The Guardian

Numbers have reached 35,000, despite a government tahr control plan committing to keep numbers at 10,000.

From The Guardian

“Tahr are social animals and can move in large groups browsing alpine herbs, tussocks and shrubs,” said the department of conservation’s James Howborow.

From The Guardian

Last year hunters, helicopter pilots and government conservation staff joined forces in a controversial attempt to control tahr numbers, with 12,000 animals shot since July 2019.

From The Guardian