The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of mammary glands, the presence of hair or fur; specialized teeth; the presence of a neocortex region in the brain; and endothermic or 'warm-blooded' bodies. The brain regulates endothermic and circulatory system, including a four-chambered heart. In India there are 410 species, 186 genera, 45 families and 13 orders of which nearly 89 species are listed as threatened in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN 2006).

The nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) is the largest Asian antelope. It is one of the most commonly seen wild mammals of central and northern India, often seen in farmland or scrub forest. The mature male appears ox-like and is also known as the blue bull. Nilgai are diurnal and tend to form single-sex herds outside of the breeding season. Herds are not of fixed composition with individuals joining and rejoining through the year. Female herds typically contain three to six adults, together with their calves, whereas bulls form herds of two to 18 individuals.

IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)