Wildlife Guide · India & Nepal
Gaur
Bos gaurus (Hamilton, 1827)
The largest wild cattle on Earth — forest bison of India and South-east Asia.
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In brief
The gaur (Bos gaurus) is a Vulnerable forest bovid — the largest wild cattle species, ranging from India through Malaysia; threatened by habitat loss, bushmeat hunting and agricultural encroachment.
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
The gaur is the largest living bovid — bulls reach 1,000 kg with a muscular black body, white stockings on the lower legs and massive curved horns. Bos gaurus ranges across forest and woodland from India and Nepal through Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia to Vietnam. Gaurs graze forest clearings and browse woodland vegetation, forming herds led by mature females. Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, populations are declining from habitat loss, hunting for bushmeat and conflict with expanding agriculture. In Malaysia and Indonesia, gaur persist in rainforest fragments where WARN partners work on forest protection.
Vulnerable
IUCN Red List status (2016 assessment)
1,000 kg
Maximum weight — large bulls
~21,000
Estimated mature individuals globally
Appendix I
CITES listing — commercial trade banned
Figures sourced from IUCN Red List — Bos gaurus, Encyclopaedia Britannica — gaur, Wildlife Institute of India — gaur .
Gaur: Quick Facts
| Weight | 600–1,000 kg (bulls); cows roughly half |
|---|---|
| Distinctive feature | White stockings on lower legs |
| Habitat | Tropical and subtropical forest clearings |
| Range | India to Malaysia and western Indonesia |
| Population | Roughly 21,000 mature individuals |
| CITES | Appendix I |
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Genus | Bos |
| Species | Bos gaurus (Hamilton, 1827) |
Conservation Status
- IUCN Status
- Vulnerable (IUCN, 2016). Roughly 21,000 mature individuals.
- Population
- Roughly 21,000 mature individuals; ~15,000 in India
- Trend
- Decreasing
- Assessed
- 2016
- CITES
- Appendix I
Largest living wild bovid; Malaysia and Indonesia hold important South-east Asian populations.
Key Facts: Gaur
- Gaur are the largest living bovid — bulls can exceed 1,000 kg.
- White stockings on the lower legs distinguish gaurs from other Asian bovids.
- Gaurs inhabit forest clearings and woodland from India to Malaysia.
- Tiger predation on gaur calves and subadults is documented across India.
- Habitat loss and bushmeat hunting are the primary threats.
- Malaysia and Indonesia hold important South-east Asian gaur populations.
The largest wild cattle
The gaur belongs to the genus Bos alongside cattle, wild yaks and banteng. Bos gaurus is the heaviest living wild bovid — bulls stand 1.7–2.2 m at the shoulder and weigh 600–1,000 kg. Cows are roughly half the size. The coat is dark brown to black; lower legs are white or pale, creating 'stocking' markings. Horns curve upward and inward, reaching 85 cm in large bulls. Gaurs inhabit tropical and subtropical forest, woodland and bamboo thickets from India and Nepal through Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and western Indonesia. They graze grasses in forest clearings and glades, browse leaves and shoots, and visit salt licks. Herds of 8–20 females and young are led by an older female; mature bulls are often solitary. Domestic gayal or mithun — kept by indigenous communities in India and Myanmar — may descend from gaur domestication or hybridisation, though the relationship remains debated.
Forest ecology and predator interactions
Gaurs are diurnal, foraging in early morning and late afternoon in forest openings. They avoid dense closed canopy where movement is restricted. Forest clearings maintained by elephants, fire and natural treefall create grazing habitat gaurs depend on. Tigers prey on gaur calves and subadults — among the largest prey tigers regularly hunt. Documented kills of adult gaur by tigers occur but are uncommon. Dholes and leopards take calves. Gaurs defend young by forming protective circles with horns facing outward. As large grazers and browsers, gaurs shape forest vegetation. Their grazing maintains grassland patches in forest; their browsing influences woody plant composition. Declining gaur populations alter forest ecology in reserves across India and South-east Asia.
Threats across the range
Habitat loss is the primary threat. Forest clearance for agriculture, logging, rubber and oil palm plantations removes gaur habitat across South-east Asia. In India, mining and infrastructure development fragment forest reserves. Gaurs require large forest areas with access to clearings and water — fragmented landscapes cannot support viable herds. Hunting for bushmeat and trophies persists across Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. Snares kill gaurs indiscriminately in Southeast Asian forests. In India, retaliatory killing after crop raiding occurs where forest meets farmland. Disease from domestic cattle contact — including foot-and-mouth disease — can devastate gaur herds. Domestic livestock grazing inside protected areas brings disease risk and competition for forage.
Conservation and protected areas
The IUCN lists gaur as Vulnerable with an estimated 21,000 mature individuals and a decreasing population trend. India holds the largest population — roughly 15,000 in the Western Ghats, central India and north-eastern forests. Kaziranga, Nagarahole and Bandipur national parks support significant herds. South-east Asian populations are smaller and more fragmented. Malaysia's Taman Negara and Royal Belum State Park hold important herds. Indonesia's gaur populations on Sumatra and Java are severely reduced. CITES Appendix I bans commercial international trade. Anti-poaching patrols, corridor protection between reserves and reducing livestock incursion into protected areas are priority actions. Community engagement in buffer zones reduces retaliatory killing and bushmeat demand.
What WARN Does
WARN funds rainforest habitat protection in Malaysia and Indonesia where gaur share threatened forest with orangutans and tigers. This gaur guide is free public education about the largest wild cattle on Earth.
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.
How can I help save the gaur?
There are three practical things that make a real difference for the gaur — and the first is the one that funds everything else.
Fund frontline rescue
Back the partner-led teams, veterinary care and protection that reach gaurs where the need is greatest — WARN channels donations straight to that work.
Ease the pressures
Avoid the wildlife trade and souvenirs, never buy wild animals as pets, and choose sustainable, habitat-friendly products — the threats behind the gaur's decline fall when demand does.
Spread the word
Share accurate, sourced information about the gaur. Wider awareness is what turns concern into lasting protection.
Gaur: Frequently Asked Questions
How can I help save the gaur?
What is the largest wild cattle species?
Are gaurs the same as bison?
Do tigers hunt gaur?
Are gaurs endangered?
Where do gaurs live?
What do gaurs eat?
Are gaurs dangerous?
How long do gaurs live?
How big is a gaur?
Sources & References
Population figures, conservation status and biological facts on this page are drawn from authoritative scientific and intergovernmental sources.
Terms used on this page
Plain-English definitions, from our wildlife and conservation glossary.
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