CHIRU 
to 
Les) 
os) 
east: Rep aera 
= hore eet 
Chiru. Shot by Mr. H. C. V. Hunter. 
The CHIRU or TIBETAN ANTELOPE (Pantholops hodgsoni). 
Among several animals peculiar to the Tibetan plateau none is 
more interesting than.the chiru, whose beautiful horns form some of 
the most cherished trophies of the sportsman. Although very unlike 
in general appearance, the chiru is a near ally of the saiga, having the 
nose even more swollen at the sides, at least in the male, but less bent 
downwards at the tip. The long black horns of the bucks, which 
are somewhat compressed, rise almost vertically from the head, and 
are slightly divergent, nearly straight below, but evenly curving for- 
wards above, and ridged in front. General colour of hair, which is 
very dense and short, pale fawn above, with a pinkish suffusion, 
but the face and part of the limbs of the males black or dark 
brown. Height at shoulder about 31 or 32 inches; weight from 90 
to 120 lbs. This genus is peculiar in having only two pairs of 
premolar teeth in each jaw. 
Distribution.—The plateau of Tibet, at elevations of from 13,000 to 
16,000 feet, or even more; the species associates in pairs or small 
parties. 
