The Red Goral inhabits forest, ragged crags, scrub and meadows from 2,000 m up to 4,500 m in summer, which is higher than any other goral species (Smith and Xie 2008). The elevation and range where Red Goral is found supports one of the largest tracts of primary coniferous woodland in Asia, which along with its rocky outcrops, form the species' primary habitat (Zhang 1987, Wang 1998, Sheng et al. 1999). Most areas in its range receive abundant rainfall (2000 mm annually) most of which falls in the summer months of April to August (Zhang 1987). Red Gorals migrate seasonally, moving in the winter (typically, November through to March) to lower-elevation mixed deciduous and coniferous forests or glades and thickets below the snow line (Zhang 1987, Wang, 1998, Sheng et al. 1999, Rabinowitz 1999). Locals report that Red Gorals are most frequently observed at lower elevations during winter, returning to higher altitudes in April (Rabinowitz 1999). Red Gorals are diurnal, and are most active in the early morning and late evening, but can be active throughout on overcast days (Sheng et al. 1999). They graze on sunny slopes, retreating to steep rocky cliffs and sheltered ledges at night (Zhang 1987).

Red Goral is typically solitary, but small groups of 2-3, typically a female and her offspring, sometimes accompanied with a male, or an offspring from the previous two years, are not uncommon (Zhang 1987, Sheng et al. 1999, Nijhawan 2020 unpub. data). Group home range size is around 40 hectares, but males occupy marked territories of 22-25 hectares during the mating season (Duckworth and MacKinnon 2008). Although there are no long-term studies on Red Goral’s diet selection, Zhang (1987) and Sheng et al. (1999) note that the diet consists primarily of lichens, but it also feeds on grasses, weeds, tender stems, leaves, and twigs from shrubs. Both males and females reach sexual maturity at approximately three years, with a lifespan of up to 15 years (Duckworth and MacKinnon 2008). Mating occurs in December, and single young are born in June after a six-month (170-218 days) gestation period (Duckworth and MacKinnon 2008, Smith and Xie 2008).

Captive females have been observed to reach sexual maturity at 1.5 years of age, giving birth at two, while males start to demonstrate rutting behaviour at three years. The estrus cycle last 17-23 days and 10-20 copulation attempts may occur during the female’s receptive period of anywhere between 6 to 72 hours (Zhang et al. 1993 in Xie 2006).

Naemorhedus baileyi has the most restricted range of all goral species being confined to the temperate mountains of northern Myanmar, China (southeast Tibet and Yunnan), and Northeast India (Arunachal Pradesh, near the Chinese and Burmese borders) (Grubb 2005, Singh 2002). It is found at higher elevations than most gorals, between altitudes of 2,000-4,500 m (Zhang 1987, Rabinowitz 1999, Smith and Xie 2008). Recent studies have found N. baileyi to be the only goral species in its range, contrary to previous accounts of range overlap with other goral species (Hayman 1961, Rabinowtiz and Khaing 1998, Nijhawan et al. 2018).

In India’s Arunachal Pradesh, Red Goral presence has been confirmed from eastern part of the state including the districts of Upper Siang (Karthik Teegalapalli pers. comm. 2020), Dibang Valley (Nijhawan 2018), Lower Dibang Valley, Anjaw, Lohit (Nijhawan unpublished data 2019) and Changlang (Namdapha Tiger Reserve and the community forests beyond Vijaynagar bordering Myanmar). In Changlang, the species, locally known as Si, is commonly seen according to the local Lisu community. Recently conducted interviews with local hunters indicated that the species is also likely to be present in the higher catchment of Rivers Kameng. Kurung, Kumey and Subansiri (Nijhawan unpublished data 2020) in Arunachal Pradesh. However, these reports need confirmation through rigorous first-hand surveys. 

In Myanmar, Red Goral has been confirmed only from the northern mountains of Kachin state in Putao district from Hponkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary and Hkakaborazi National Park (Rabinowtiz and Khaing 1998, Rabinowtiz 1999, Forest Department and WCS Myanmar pers. comm. 2020). Within Hkakaborazi, N. baileyi was the only goral reported present, whereas south of Nam Tamai, where N. caudatus was reported, the Red Goral was absent (Rabinowtiz and Khaing 1998).

China contains the largest distribution (in terms of area) of the species with populations confirmed from two provinces: Tibet Autonomous Region (Xizang) and Yunnan. Nyingchi City prefecture of Tibet is reported as the primary distribution area of Red Goral with confirmed records from, but not limited to, the area around Nyingchi City, Motuo Nature Reserve, Linzhi Dongjiu Red Goral Nature Reserve, and Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve (Forestry Investigation and Planning Institute of the Tibet Autonomous Region 2017; Zhang Di pers. comm. 2020). According to summer surveys carried out in this region in 1987-88, the distribution area is between about 27° to 29°30'N and 96° to 98°E confined to the counties of Bome, Mainling, Bayi, Zayu, Nangxiang and Medog around the junction of the Pelung Zangbo and Yarlung Zangbo rivers (Feng et al. 1986; Zhang 1987, 1991; Rabinowitz 1999; Wang Sung et al. 1997). Recent accounts suggest that the species’ stronghold is to the south of the Sichuan-Tibet highway. In Yunnan, Red Goral is known to occur in Nùjiāng Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in Gongshan Derung and Nu Autonomous county where it was reported from Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve in the 1980s, but information is lacking on its current status in the area (Wang 2003; Zhang Di pers. comm. 2020). Its presence has also been confirmed in Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. All occurrences in Yunnan are limited to the west of Salween (Nujiang) River (Zhang Di pers. comm. 2020) The species’ range does not extend into Sichuan Province as previously believed.