The misspelling for the Himalayan tahr can be traced back to a 1956 amendment to the Wildlife Act, where it was recorded as thar (Hemitragus jemlaicus). rather than tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus).
The mistake "has caused confusion for over half a century", Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick said.
While the correct spelling was used in most popular and scientific literature, the misspelling of both the common and scientific names would still be used in regulations and permits issued under the Wildlife Act, she said.
"This is why officials administering the Act often continue to use 'thar'," she said.
As part of a wildlife protection review, a recommendation will be made that the entry thar in the 1956 amendment to the Wildlife Act be changed to Himalayan tahr, Ms Chadwick said.
Doc Otago technical support officer animal pests Bruce Kyle said he was aware of the mistake, but "I still have to spell it t-h-a-r, because of the legislation".
Whatever the spelling of tahr, the goat-like animals were of nuisance value to the department, he said.
"They have the potential to destroy ecosystems, so they are certainly a pest for us."
