[1] It was previously considered its own species, as Capricornis thar.

In 1831, Brian Houghton Hodgson first described a goat-like animal with short annulated horns occurring in montane regions between the Sutlej and Teesta Rivers under the name "Bubaline Antelope".

[5] As "Bubaline" was preoccupied, he gave it the scientific name Antelope thar a few months later.

[citation needed] The Himalayan serow inhabits hilly forests above an elevation of 300 m (980 ft), but descends to 100 m (330 ft) in winter.

[9] Capricornis sumatraensis is listed in CITES Appendix I.