Wildlife Wednesday

~ 6 Endangered Animals Native to India ~

1. Indian Lion: One of the five "big cats" found in the subcontinent, also known as the "Asiatic Lion", this lion subspecies lives as a single isolated population in the Indian State of Gujarat. The Indian Lion is listed by the IUCN as "endangered", but recent efforts have lead to the increase of its population.



2. Lion-tailed Macaque: This endangered macaque is found in the pockets of evergreen forests in India's Western Ghats at altitudes ranging between 2000 and 3500 feet. Only three decades ago, these creatures thrived in the southern third of the country, but today they can only be found in three states: Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

3. Great Indian Rhinoceros: The only animal along with the African Rhinoceros that is outweighed by the elephant, this endangered specie is found only in the tall grasslands and forests in the foothills of the Himalayas.



4. Royal Bengal Tiger: This magnificent cat  is distributed among Tiger Reserves across all four cardinal directions of the subcontinent. The size and colour of these beasts varies according to their geographical location and climate. The stripes of these endangered animals are as unique to each one, as are fingerprints to human.


5. Wild Ass: A sanctuary was created  in the The Little Rann of Kutchchh in Gujarat to protect these endangered animals. Few animals are capable of matching the Wild Ass interms of speed and stamina; they can run marathon distances at speeds reaching 24 Kmph for up to two hours, and can cover short distances at speeds up to 70 Kmph.

6. Nilgiri Tahr: They are found at elevations up to 1800 feet on cliffs, grass-covered hills and open terrain in the south of India. Although their they have a lifespan of upto 9 years, the average life expectancy is only 3.5 years.