Markhor

This is the national animal of Pakistan. Killing means snake and hoof means eater. The markhor is a wild goat breed commonly found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Markhor (Capra falconry) is a very large goat. It is called as such because, in the folk stories, the markhor kills and eats snakes. This animal is found in the northern parts of Pakistan. In the local Balti language, the markhor is called reedakh. It is found in forests in Central Asia, Karakoram, and the western Himalayas.

 

endangered animals

Indus River Dolphin

The Indus and the Ganges The dolphins are found in the Indus and Ganges systems. As their name suggests, both are freshwater dolphins. An interesting thing about them is that they are effectively blind. It can only detect the intensity and direction of light, not the shapes themselves. For this reason, it is known as the blind dolphin. The number of dolphins in these rivers has been increasing recently due to the efforts of South Asian countries to protect them. They are found in Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

 

 

Baluchistan Pygmy Jerboa

This is the world’s smallest rodent. It is the only species of Salpingotulus. Adults have an average head and body length of 4.4 cm (1.7 in), with a tail of 8 cm (3.1 in). Adult females weigh 3.75 g (0.132 oz). It is currently considered a local disease in Pakistan. They are found within the Balochistan region of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

 

Himalayan Musk Deer

White-spotted musk deer have a waxy substance called musk that the male secretes from a gland in the abdomen. This musk is used in the preparation of perfumes and medicines. It is found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

 

 

 

Kashmir Gray Langur

 

Alexandrine Parrot

The Alexandrian parakeet, also called the Alexandrine parrot, is a medium-sized parrot in the genus PSittaculae of the Psittacidae family.

 

endangered animals

Nilgai

 

Male Nilgai

Nilgai is an antelope that is found throughout North India, Pakistan, and Nepal. It is the largest Asian antelope. Its name literally means the blue bull. Nil meaning blue and gai meaning cow/bull. Interestingly Nilgai used to be called nilghor a few centuries ago, meaning the blue horse. These animals stand 1-1.5 meters tall, letting go of the head and neck.

 Female Nilgai

In Pakistan, this antelope is mainly found in vast desert regions, such as the Cholistan in the Punjab and Thar in Sindh. Today, the Nilgai is found mainly in the eastern part of the country along the Pak-India border. Here they are usually found alone. Nilgai is also found in the Changa Manga plantation near Lahore.

 

 

 

endangered animals in pakistan

Hoopoe

The hoopoe’s flight looks like a butterfly. The waves of its large, round wings move like waves, only halfway through. The hoopoes have the most impressive wings of the migratory population.

 

Yak

 

Asian giant hornet

These giant haronts are found not only in East Asia but also in parts of South Asia, India, and Nepal. These hornets can be up to 5 cm long. They are also responsible for many human deaths each year. These deaths occur mostly in Japan, where they kill about 40 people each year. The venom from their stings can dissolve human tissue.

 

 

 

Himalayan Brown Bear

endangered animals

 

Gharial

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), also called Gavial. This breed is in the northern part of the Indus River in Pakistan. It has a dark or light olive-like deep cross band and is stained on the head, body, and tail. This is also known as the fish-eating crocodile. The Gharial is well adapted to hunting fish underwater. An interesting thing about his eating habits is that even household stones are swallowed. These stones are believed to help their digestion and maintain their well-being. Sometimes jewelry is also found in their stomachs. This crocodile was once found throughout the northern subcontinent. But it became extinct in the Indus River system and many other regions due to hunting. Now gharials are only found in certain parts of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. This crocodile was once common in Punjab and throughout the Indus River. It has seen gone extinct from Pakistan. Very few now remain in the Subcontinent in India.

 

Barasingha

Another animal that was once common in Pakistan is now extinct within the nation. Animal populations are still found in India and Nepal. It literally means twelve horns.

endangered animals

Indian Cobra

 

 

 

Gaur

The Gaur, also known as the Indian Bison, is one of the largest bovines in the world. With the males standing about 6 feet tall at the shoulders on average. It is found in South Asia and South-East Asia. Just think of it like a wild bovine on steroids.

 

 

dugong

The dugong is not unique to South Asia as it is found in many different parts of the world. In South Asia, it is found in India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. These animals are herbivorous marine mammals.

endangered animals in pakistan

 

Dhole

Also known as the Indian wild dog. They are highly social animals that live in large tribes. They are more social than the famous gray wolves. Dholes are also known to target other predators, including lions.

 

 

endangered animals

Asiatic lion

The royal animal once spread to Asia and even parts of Europe. It was found throughout Asia and the Middle East. It even lived in the Caucasus and Greece. Now only 650 remain in the Gir National Park in India. This animal became almost extinct due to hunting in the industrial age. In 1890, there were only 20 left in the world. It was saved from extinction by Nawab Junagarh. Now the species is recovering.

Lists of animals

 

Author

Samina Iqbal