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 goa (Procapra picticaudata), also known as the Tibetan gazelle, is a species of antelope that inhabits the Tibetan plateau. Small populations exist in the Ladakh and Sikkim regions of India. In Ladakh, they live at high altitudes (15580-16570 ft), but prefer relatively flat areas with an affinity for warmer, south-facing slopes.They coexist with domestic yaks and kiang. The population in Ladakh is less than 100 individuals.

IUCN Status: Near Threatened (NT) Photo: knpsikkim.in