Extinct Animal : Gaur

Most people know that cows are a domesticated version of the wild cattle that ranged through the Old World thousands of years ago. Wild cattle still run in small herds in the hilly forests of India, Burma, and the Malay peninsula, and these are the gaurs.

Each herd is led by a huge old bull, with fine horns, a sleek, dark brown coat, and white “stockings.” One of this animal's distinguishing features is the saddle-like hump on its back.

Gaurs are huge; they can measure 2 m at the shoulder and can weigh 900 kg. They were once hunted by sportsmen in India as “big game” as was the American bison. Because of their size and strength, and since the Indian tiger is now almost extinct, they have few predators other than man.