It is an imposing Asian bovine known for its large size and strength. It inhabits the forested areas of Asia, where it remains in groups formed mainly by females and calves. The herds are led by an elderly adult female, known as the matriarch. Adult males are usually solitary and approach the herds during the mating season, where they compete for the right to mate.

Although it is a large and heavy animal, it is surprisingly agile and can climb mountainous terrains with great ease. This ability allows it to access higher grazing areas, which are not as available to other herbivores. This skill is one of the reasons why the gaur has been able to inhabit forested and mountainous areas difficult for other animals to reach.

This animal, despite its power, faces serious threats that endanger its survival. Among its few natural predators are the tiger and the Asian bear. However, thanks to their strength and bravery, adults are not easy prey, so these predators usually only attack weak, sick, or young individuals.

The decline of its population is due to three main factors: habitat loss due to deforestation, illegal hunting, and diseases transmitted by domestic livestock, such as rinderpest (bovine plague), foot-and-mouth disease, malignant catarrhal fever, and anthrax. It is very susceptible to these diseases, and its difficulty in adapting to human-altered environments makes it even more vulnerable.

Their difficult domestication and the lack of direct utilization by humans further complicate their conservation.

Cabárceno has a breeding group belonging to the EEP program for the conservation of the species, with which it has already had reproductive success.