FaunaHub
VUVulnerablePartial review

Gaur

Bos gaurus

Gaur (Bos gaurus), the largest wild cattle species.

Gaur (Bos gaurus).

Image: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

At a glance

IUCN category
VU · Vulnerable
Animal group
Mammals
Population trend
Decreasing
Last verified

Conservation overview

The gaur is the largest wild cattle species in the world, a massive, powerfully built bovine of Asian forests. It is assessed as Vulnerable.

Despite its size it is generally shy and lives in herds.

Range & habitat

Forests and grasslands of South and Southeast Asia.

Major threats

Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.

  • Hunting and poaching
  • Habitat loss
  • Diseases from domestic cattle

Why it matters

As the largest wild bovine and a major grazer-browser, the gaur shapes Asian forest and grassland ecosystems and is an important prey species for big cats.

Gallery

A gaur in the wild, showing its massive build.

Gaur (Bos gaurus), India.

Image: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but please menti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Sources

Sources for Gaur

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the gaur?
It is the largest of the wild cattle, with big bulls standing very tall at the shoulder and weighing over a tonne — more massive than the wild buffalo or bison in body build.
Why is the gaur Vulnerable?
Published assessments cite hunting and poaching, habitat loss, and diseases caught from domestic cattle. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.

Last updated: