An overview of the rare and threatened wildlife of the Indian Subcontinent.
1. Indian Rhinoceros
Overview
The Indian Rhinoceros (Greater One-Horned Rhino) is famous for its thick, armour-like skin. Unlike its African cousins, it has only one horn. Once found across the entire Indo-Gangetic plain, it is now restricted to small pockets in India and Nepal.
Quick Facts
- Status: Vulnerable (IUCN).
- Population: Approx. 3,500+ individuals in the wild.
- Key Habitat: Kaziranga National Park holds over 70% of the population.
Threats & Conservation
The biggest threat is poaching for their horns, used in traditional medicine, and habitat loss due to agriculture. Successful conservation efforts, particularly in Assam, have seen their numbers rise from near extinction in the early 1900s.
2. Bengal Florican
Overview
The Bengal Florican is one of the world's rarest bustards. It is known for the male's elaborate courtship display where they jump into the air above the tall grass to attract females.
Conservation Status
Listed as Critically Endangered, fewer than 1,500 remain globally. Their survival depends entirely on the preservation of Terai grasslands. The main threat is the conversion of grassland into agricultural land for rice production.
3. Gharial
Overview
The Gharial is a unique fish-eating crocodile characterized by its long, thin snout. Males develop a bulbous growth on the tip of their snout called a 'ghara' (pot), used for vocal resonance.
Why are they threatened?
Once abundant in all major river systems, they are now Critically Endangered. The population crashed by 96% due to:
- Entanglement in fishing nets.
- Loss of riverine habitat due to dams and sand mining.
- Depletion of fish stocks (their primary food).
4. Asian Elephant
Overview
The largest land mammal in Asia, the elephant is a cultural icon in India. They are "Gardeners of the Forest," playing a vital role in spreading seeds.
Major Challenges
- Habitat Fragmentation: Forests are being cut for development, blocking ancient migration corridors.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: As habitats shrink, elephants raid crops, leading to tragic conflicts with farmers.
- Poaching: Though banned, ivory poaching still threatens male elephants.
5. Great Indian Bustard
Overview
This heavy flying bird looks like an ostrich and was once a contender for India's National Bird. It inhabits dry grasslands and scrub.
On the Brink
Listed as Critically Endangered, with perhaps fewer than 150 individuals left, mostly in Rajasthan. The major modern threat is collision with high-voltage power lines in the desert, alongside habitat loss to agriculture.
6. Blackbuck
Overview
Known for their magnificent spiral horns and two-tone coat, Blackbucks are fast runners. They are held sacred by the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan, who fiercely protect them.
Status
While they faced severe hunting pressure in the past (reducing their numbers drastically), legal protection and community conservation have helped them recover. They are currently listed as Near Threatened.
7. South Asian River Dolphin
Overview
The Ganges River Dolphin is India's National Aquatic Animal. Living in muddy river waters, they are essentially blind and rely entirely on ultrasonic echolocation to hunt prey.
Conservation
They are highly endangered due to river pollution, dam construction which splits populations, and accidental bycatch in fishing nets. Interestingly, India has declared them "non-human persons" to forbid their captivity for entertainment.
8. Siberian Crane
Overview
These majestic white birds are known for the longest migration among cranes. While the eastern population in China survives, the western population that used to winter in Bharatpur, India, has not been seen there since 2002, likely due to hunting along the migration route in Afghanistan and Central Asia.
9. Ganges Shark
Overview
A true river shark found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra, it is often confused with the Bull Shark. It is adapted to turbid fresh water with small eyes and teeth suited for catching fish.
It is Critically Endangered and rarely seen. Its reputation as a man-eater is largely a myth; those attacks are usually by Bull Sharks.
10. Dhole (Indian Wild Dog)
Overview
The Dhole is a highly social pack hunter that communicates with distinct whistles. They are excellent hunters, often taking down prey much larger than themselves.
Threats: They are endangered due to habitat loss and, significantly, diseases (like distemper and rabies) transferred from domestic village dogs.
11. Red Panda
Overview
Found in the Eastern Himalayas (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh), the Red Panda looks like a cross between a bear and a raccoon. They are solitary, arboreal animals that feed almost exclusively on bamboo.
Conservation: They are Endangered due to deforestation and poaching for their distinctive red fur. Community-based tourism in places like Nepal and India is now helping protect their habitat.
12. Indian Wild Ass (Khur)
Overview
One of the fastest Indian animals, the Khur is found only in the Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, a saline desert. They are tough survivors of extreme heat.
Status: The population has recovered from a low of 362 in the 1960s to over 4,800 today. However, being restricted to a single location makes them vulnerable to disease outbreaks like Surra.
Conclusion
Through this project, I realized that India's biodiversity is fragile. Many species are on the brink of extinction not just because of natural causes, but due to human encroachment and climate change. It is our responsibility to support conservation efforts and protect these animals for future generations.