Sep 11, 2024
By: Kapil Yadav
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Based on IUCN list, here are the most endangered and vulnerable animal species of India.
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The largest land mammal in Asia, the Asian Elephant is facing threats from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. It comes under the endangered species category. These are found mainly in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
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The Ganges river dolphin comes under the category of critically endangered. These unique freshwater dolphins, found mainly in the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, are on the brink of extinction due to water pollution and damming.
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Found in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, the majestic one-horned Rhinoceros comes under the vulnerable category. The primary reason for the dip in their population has been poaching and habitat destruction.
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Native to the mountain regions of India, the Snow Leopard in India is found mainly in Uttarakhand, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. Their decreasing population in recent years has been attributed to climate change.
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Bengal tigers are found primarily in the states of West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. These massive creatures come under the endangered category in India and the main reason for that is poaching and habitat fragmentation.
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State animal of Sikkim, Red Pandas are found in the eastern Himalayan region of India in the states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The primary reason for these animals being in the endangered category is the loss of their habitat.
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Found in the Gir forest of Gujarat, Asiatic Lions are on the brink of extinction due to the loss of their habitat and poaching. There are only a few hundred Asiatic lions left in India.
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Nilgiri Tahr is a mountain goat found in the western ghats, primarily in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Like other animals on this list, their endangered status is also because of habitat loss and poaching.
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The Indian bison, commonly referred to as gaur, faces significant threats from habitat destruction and hunting. They are mainly found in some national parks of the Western Ghats region of India.
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Lion-tailed Macaque are unique monkeys found in the Western Ghat region of India. Their population has decreased significantly in the past years due to habitat fragmentation and hunting.
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