This close, wild relative of domestic cattle has been classified by the IUCN in 2009 as threatened. The domesticated form (Bos frontalis) is not included in this classification. Small herds of wild gaurs are still found in scattered areas of southeast Asia, but numbers have declined drastically in the last century and continue to decline because of hunting, habitat alteration and exposure to disease from domestic cattle.

Males are about 25% bigger than females. A large male will stand over 2 m (6 ft. 6 in.) at the shoulder and weigh up to 1000 kg (2,200 lb.). Both sexes sport horns, although the males' are more spectacular. Gaurs are muscular, with white stockings and a glossy coat that varies from dark reddish-brown to blackish brown.

Because of their size and strength and, since the Indian tiger is now almost extinct, gaurs have few predators other than humans.