Endangered animals

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures

Janhvi Johorey
By Janhvi Johorey, Psychologist specialized in animal therapy. Updated: September 1, 2024
Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures

India is home to many wild species of birds and animals. Its diversity also means that many endangered species can be found in India. While some are critically endangered, others are on the verge of extinction or near threatened.

India has a wide range of natural habitats which are home to endangered animals and wildlife. There are close to 400 wildlife sanctuaries in India, and also 80 national parks. Sheltering a wide number of wild and endangered animals, India has many endangered, critically endangered or vulnerable species.

Extinct animals in India include the auroch, the cheetah, and the pink-headed duck. Want to discover the amazing species that fight for survival in this country? Stay with us at AnimalWised an read on to know more about the endangered animals in India with detailed explanations and pictures.

You may also be interested in: Endangered Animals of the Mangrove Forests
Contents
  1. Big cats on the decrease
  2. Royal Bengal Tiger
  3. Asiatic Lion
  4. Snow Leopard
  5. Blackbuck
  6. Western Red Panda
  7. Indian Rhinoceros
  8. Nilgiri Tahr
  9. Nilgiri Langur
  10. Kashmir Stag
  11. Lion-tailed Macaque
  12. Gaur
  13. Ganges River Dolphin
  14. Gharial
  15. Indian Vulture
  16. Indian Wild Ass
  17. Phayre's Leaf Monkey
  18. Four-horned antelope
  19. Indian Pangolin
  20. Barasingha
  21. Asian Elephants
See more >>

Big cats on the decrease

All the wild members of the Felidae family are dwindling in numbers. Sadly, three big cats can be found in the list of endangered animals of India: the Bengal tiger, the Asiatic lion, and the snow leopard.

There are currently close to 1410 Royal Bengal tigers in India. The Asiatic or Great Indian lion is only living in the Gir national Park in Gujarat. Moreover, the snow leopard is found in the Himalayan regions only. Its counterpart, the clouded leopard, is also veering on extinction.

Royal Bengal Tiger

The Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is not only found in India, where it is counted as the national animal. Also present in Bangladesh, the Royal Bengal Tiger has a coat ranging from light orange to yellow. The stripes can be dark brown or black.

Human-tiger conflicts and poaching have dwindled the numbers of the Bengal Tiger; in fact, it is among the 10 most dangerous animals in India. It is considered a truly royal animal known for its strength and attitude. Carnivores by nature, the Royal Bengal Tiger can now be found in the following national parks of India:

  • Bandhavgarh
  • Jim Corbett
  • Sunderbans
  • Sariska
  • Ranthambore
  • Tadoba

Here you can learn more about why are Bengal tigers endangered.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Royal Bengal Tiger

Asiatic Lion

Also known as the Indian or Persian lion (Panthera leo persica), this subspecies of the lion is one of the most impressive endangered animals of India. The Asiatic lion is different from the African lion on account of its larger tail tuft and less well developed mane. In India, Asiatic lions can be spotted at Gujarat's Gir National Park.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Asiatic Lion

Snow Leopard

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is is a massive cat living in the mountain ranges of South and Central Asia and is one of the most endangered native animals in the Himalayas. With long, thick hairy fur, the snow leopard is basically anywhere from smoked gray to yellow tan in coloring. Its name comes from the white coloring of its belly. It is carnivorous and one of the most solitary animals in the world.

This endangered big cat is found mostly in the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. It can be spotted at the following national parks in India:

  • Hemis: Ladakh
  • Nanda Devi: Uttarakhand
  • Dibang: Arunachal Pradesh
  • Kibber: Lahaul Spiti
  • Pin Valley: Himachal Pradesh
  • Great Himalayan: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.
Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Snow Leopard

Blackbuck

The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is an ungulate species of antelope found in India. It is an herbivorous ruminant animal. This beautiful Indian antelope is near threatened as it is targeted on account of its skin and meat. Some of the main threats for the blackbuck are:

  • Poachers
  • Predators
  • Habitat degradation
  • Overgrazing
  • Inbreeding

Also known as Kala Hiran in Hindi, this beautiful and majestic antelope species is found in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab (where it is the state animal). Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This species can be spotted in the following national parks:

  • Guindy: Tamil Nadu
  • Rollapadu: Andhra Pradesh
  • Chilka: Odisha
Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Blackbuck

Western Red Panda

The Western or Indian red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is a subspecies of the red panda, red cat-bear or lesser panda. It is also referred to as "red fox".

Residing in deciduous and coniferous forests, the endangered Indian red panda lives in temperate climates, in bamboo and hollow trees. It is an arboreal mammal found in the Eastern Himalayas. The red panda is among the endangered animals of India on account of:

  • Inbreeding
  • Poaching
  • Habitat loss
  • Population fragmentation

This is one of the most photogenic mammals in India, and ir can be found in 20 protected areas including Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal. National parks where the Indian red panda can be found include:

  • Simlipal
  • Khangchendzonga
  • Namdapha

Other places include Nepal, Myanmar, and Bhutan. With a thick body and russet fur, the red panda is a truly unique creature that must be protected.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Western Red Panda

Indian Rhinoceros

The greater one-horned or Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is found in Assam, India. This endangered animal is a very large mammal, and it is the target of hunters who sell its horns at a high value. It has become a vulnerable species.

The Indian rhinoceros has a single black horn that is present in both sexes of the species. Rhinoceros are very big; in fact, this species is the largest land mammal of Asia only behind the Asian elephant.

Today, close to 3,000 Indian rhinos are found living in the wild, in their natural habitats. 2,000 of these are in:

  • Manas
  • Kaziranga

Both are national parks in Assam. Other areas where this endangered animal of India can be found include the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Indian Rhinoceros

Nilgiri Tahr

The Nilgiri tahr or ibex (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is an ungulate stocky goat endemic to the Nilgiri Hills of South India. With coarse short fur and a bristly mane, this endangered Indian goat can be found in:

  • Eravikulam National Park: Nilgiri and Anamalai Hills
  • Periyar National Park: Palni Hills
Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Nilgiri Tahr

Nilgiri Langur

The Nilgiri langur (Trachypithecus johnii) is a monkey of the lutung type found in the Nigiri Hills, just like the Nilgiri tahr. The range of the Nilgiri langure includes:

  • Kodagu (Karnataka)
  • Palani Hills (Tamil Nadu)
  • Kerala

This is one of the thirteen species of monkeys in India, vulnerable because its fur and meat are valued and it is the target of hunters. Deforestation is another threat for this monkey. Its cousin, Gee's golden langur, is also an endangered animal of India.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Nilgiri Langur

Kashmir Stag

The hangul or Kashmir stag (Cervus canadensis hanglu) is an endangered animal. This kind of elk is recognizable because it has a light rump patch, without the tail. Antlers of the Kashmir stag constitute 5 tines.

The graceful hangul can be found in:

  • Dachugam National Park
  • Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Overa Aru
  • Sind Valley
  • Kishtwar and Bhaderwah forests

Found in the hilly state of Jammu and Kashmir, the hangul is targeted for its skin and flesh as well as its horns.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Kashmir Stag

Lion-tailed Macaque

The lion-tailed macaque or wanderoo (Macaca silenus) is an Old World monkey that inhabits the same region as the Nilgiri tahr and langur, the Western Ghats. It has a silver-white mane from the cheeks to the chin.

Found in Kerala's Silent Valley National Park, Papanasam in Kallakad, Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka's Siri Honnavara rainforests, the lion-tailed macaque is falling in numbers because of rising urbanization and habitat destruction.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Lion-tailed Macaque

Gaur

The Gaur or Indian bison (Bos gaurus) is the largest extant bovine in the world. Found in Southern and Southeast Asia, the Indian bison is threatened by poaching for trade to supply global markets. It is currently a vulnerable species.

The gaur can be found in Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Tamil Nadu and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, two of India's southernmost coastal states.

Here you can learn more about the differences between buffaloes, water buffaloes and bison; in fact, wild water buffaloes are also endangered.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Gaur

Ganges River Dolphin

Scientifically called Platanista gangetica gangetica, the Ganges river dolphin is a subspecies of the endangered South Asian river dolphin. Therefore, it is a cetacean mammal.

Found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna system and their tributaries in India, Ganges river dolphins are targeted by water development projects, industrialization, and pollution and resultant habitat loss.

Native to India, this freshwater dolphin is also found in Nepal and Bangladesh. Feeding on prey such as fish and shrimps which are dwindling in numbers, these species are blind by birth and cannot swim inside the water continuously, returning to the surface every 30 to 120 seconds.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Ganges River Dolphin
Image: World Wildlife

Gharial

The gharial, gavial or fish-eating crocodile (Gavialis gangeticus) is one of the three crocodilian species found in India. It is recognizable for its long and very thin snout, which in the case of male gharials has a pot-shaped boss at the tip.

The river Ganges is the habitat of the Indian gharial. This crocodile is also found in the Brahmaputra, Irrawady and Chambal rivers. The mass pollution in its habitat has led to the death of this species, which now is critically endangered.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Gharial

Indian Vulture

The Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) is one of the largest flying birds in the Indian subcontinent. Like most vultures, it has a bald head, scavenges for food, moves in flocks and nests on trees and cliffs.

Indian vultures are another critically endangered species found in Uttar Pradesh, apart from Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Indian and the white-rumped vultures have suffered a devastating drop in population numbers because of accidental poisoning by a medical drug that was given to the cattle they scavenged on.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Indian Vulture

Indian Wild Ass

The Indian or Baluchi wild ass (Equus hemionus khur) can be found in Gujarat's Rann of Kutch and Ladakh in Sikkim. Their coat is sandy looking and varies from red to chestnut.

This species of ass is found living on grass, leaves, plants and fruits. It is currently a near threatened animal, as there are less than 5,000 individuals of Indian wild ass. Here you can find out what is the difference between a donkey, an ass and a mule.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Indian Wild Ass

Phayre's Leaf Monkey

The Phayre's leaf monkey or Phayre's langur (Trachypithecus phayrei) is a dominant monkey with a look as if it is wearing a monocle. This beloved species is one of the endangered animals of India, although is also lives in countries like Bangladesh, China, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

As the name points out, Phayre's leaf monkey can be found in semi-evergreen forests and areas dominated by bamboos. These monkeys live mostly on immature leaves and bamboo.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Phayre's Leaf Monkey

Four-horned antelope

The four-horned antelope or chousingha (Tetracerus quadricornis) has four permanent crown-like horns above the head. It is currently a vulnerable species.

The beautiful four-horned antelope is the smallest bovid in Asia, with a slender frame and thin legs. With the brown coat and white underparts, this animal is found in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Plants and grass make up the chousingha's main food, and it is a solitary animal.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Four-horned antelope

Indian Pangolin

The Indian or thick-tailed pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is among the endangered animals in India. It has the distinction of having no teeth and bad eyesight.

With a powerful set of claws and a horned, scaly body, the Indian Pangolin is found in Bandhavgarh National Park and Corbett, Gir. Feeding on insects and termites, the Indian Pangolin is endangered because of habitat loss and is a victim of illegal animal trade.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Indian Pangolin

Barasingha

The barasingha or swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii) has twelve tined, crown-like horns above its head and a thick brown coat that turns darker during the mating season.

Barasinghas are a vulnerable species. Herbivores by nature, they are found in Kanha National Park in central India. It is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Barasingha

Asian Elephants

Asian or Asiatic elephants (Elephas maximus) are highly intelligent animals and one of the largest mammals in the world. Smaller in size than African elephants, Asian elephants are recognizable by their small ears and dark gray to brown coloring. Here you can learn the differences between African and Asian elephants.

With an average dietary intake of 150 kg in a day, Asian elephants eat mostly rice, sugarcane, and grass. The Asian elephant can now only be found in:

  • Corbett Tiger Reserve
  • Rajaji National Park
  • Nagarhole National Park
  • Bandipur National Park

Although generally peaceful, Asian elephants can become dangerous. Here you can find out all about escaping from an elephant attack.

Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures - Asian Elephants

These are some of the endangered animals of India, with explanations and pictures. Did we miss your favorite? Tell us all in the comments section!

You can also learn more about threatened wildlife here:

If you want to read similar articles to Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures, we recommend you visit our Endangered animals category.

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Endangered Animals of India - With Pictures