Adoption of Blackbuck By The Nature Club of T. John College

Adoption of BlackbuckAdoption of Blackbuck Adoption of BlackbuckAdoption of Blackbuck Adoption of BlackbuckAdoption of Blackbuck
Adoption of BlackbuckAdoption of Blackbuck Adoption of BlackbuckAdoption of Blackbuck Adoption of BlackbuckAdoption of Blackbuck
Adoption of BlackbuckAdoption of Blackbuck Adoption of BlackbuckAdoption of Blackbuck Adoption of BlackbuckAdoption of Blackbuck


Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is a species of antelope native to the Indian subcontinent. It is known as Krishna Mriga in Kannada Their range decreased sharply during the 20th century. Since 2003, the IUCN lists the species as near threatened. This species is the only living species of the Antelope. Originally spread over large tracts of India (except in North East India), today the blackbuck population is confined to areas in Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka with a few small pockets in Central India.

The Blackbuck is easily identified by its distinctive horns which are ringed with 1 to 4 spiral turns, rarely more than 4 turns, and can be as long as 79 cm. In the male, the upper body is black (dark brown), and the belly and eye rings are white. The light-brown female is usually hornless.

The main threats to the species are: Poaching, Predation, Habitat destruction, Overgrazing, Diseases, Inbreeding and Sanctuary visitors. Like most wild animals, the Blackbuck is in principle protected in India by the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

The Nature Club of the Department of Biotechnology T. John College has adopted one such specie at Bannerghatta National Park on June 28, 2011.

The Executive Director of Banngerghatta Biological park in his discussion with the team; has encouraged this activity. According to him just adopting would not solve the problem the focus has to be on Conservation, such students clubs could be the best tool to spread the word around. Thus the team has assured to him that some awareness camps for the college students and visitors of Bannergahtta national park on animal protection and anti poaching. would be taken up as a the next step towards the cause of animal conservation.