Zoology ❤
.List of endangered species in Pakistan
Markhor
The name Markhor comes from the Persian language, meaning “snake eater.”. It is a large goat native to the Karakoram, the Himalayas, and Central Asia.
Scientific name: Capra falconeri
Markhors hold the title of the National Animal of Pakistan but are unfortunately listed on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) list of endangered animals
The major reasons why markhors are endangered include:
Habitat loss
- Overhunting for meat and trophies
- Competition from livestock etc.
- Where are Markhors found in Pakistan?
Where are Markhor found in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, you will find markhors in small areas in the Baluchistan province, KPK, and Dera Ghazi Khan District (Punjab).
There are two markhor species found in Pakistan: Flared Horned Markhor and Screw Horned Markhor.
Snow leopard
Found in Central and South Asia, Snow leopards are listed as Vulnerable according to the IUCN
With a global population of fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, they are expected to decline by 10% by 2040.
Scientific name: Panthera uncia
Why are Snow leopards endangered?
The reasons include the following:
- Poaching
- Competition with other animals for prey
- Illegal killing
- Trophy Hunting
- Conflict with humans (snow leopards often attack livestock)
- Environmental factors
- Lack of research
Where are Snow leopards found in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, snow leopards are found in the Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir,
Asian leopard
Asian leopards are found in the Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad (capital). They used to descend from the northern regions in winter during heavy snowfall. Now they are scattered in small locations.
As their homes become popular tourist spots, their frequent sightings and danger to humans are becoming alarming.
Scientific name: Panthera pardus
Why are Asian Leopards endangered?
The reasons include the following:
- Habitat loss
- Poaching
- Increasing conflict with communities
- Climate change
Where are Asian Leopards found in Pakistan?
Asian Leopards are found in the Margalla Hills National Park, Ayubia National Park, and Galiyat
Marco Polo Sheep
Found in the mountains of Central Asia, Marco Polo sheep have large horns in spiraling shapes, making them unique animals to encounter.
Scientific name: Ovis ammon polii
Why is the Marco Polo Sheep endangered?
The reasons include the following:
- Poaching
- Habitat disturbance
- Competition with livestock
- Construction of a fence along the international border with China
Where is the Marco Polo Sheep found in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, they are found in the Khunjerab National Park, which borders China
Asian Black Bear
The Asian Black Bear, as the name suggests, is native to Asia and is a medium-sized bear. They are critically endangered, with only 1,000 Asian black bears left in Pakistan.
Scientific name: Ursus thibetanus
Why are Asian Black Bears endangered?
The reasons include the following:
- Killed for fur
- Conflict with locals (black bars often attack livestock)
- Killed for medical purposes
- Habitat loss
- Lack of research
Where are Asian Black Bears found in Pakistan?
The Asiatic Black bear is found in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan.
Indus River Dolphin
According to WWF, only 2000 Indus River dolphins are left in the country.
Historically they swam freely to about 3500 km of the Indus River system, but due to the construction of irrigation barrages; their range has been reduced by 80%.
Scientific name: Platanista minor
Why is the Indus River Dolphin endangered?
The reasons include the following:
- Entanglement
- Habitat degradation
- Noise
- Chemical contaminants
- Vessel strikes.
Where are Indus River Dolphins found in Pakistan?
The Indus river dolphins are primarily found in Pakistan’s lower parts of the Indus River.
Black Finless Porpoise
The Black Finless Porpoise looks similar to dolphins but has smaller snouts, mouths, and bodies.
Scientific name: Neophocaena phocaenoides
Why are the Black Finless Porpoises endangered?
The reasons include the following:
- Bycatch in unregulated and unselective fishing
- Habitat degradation
- Pollution
- Noise
- Vessel strikes
- Water development
- Discharge of highly toxic effluents
Where are the Black Finless Porpoises found in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, the Black Finless Porpoise is commonly found throughout the coast, especially in mangroves.
Golden Mahseer
The Golden Mahseer is a fish found in rapid streams, riverine pools, and lakes. Its native range is within the basins of the Ganges, Indus, and Brahmaputra rivers.
Scientific name: Tor putitora
Why is the Golden Mahseer endangered?
The reasons include the following:
- Habitat loss
- Overfishing
- Pollution
Where is the Golden Mahseer found in Pakistan
The Golden Mahseer is found in Swat (KPK) rivers, Panjkora, Siran, Indus, and Kunhar.
Mountain sheep
The Altai argali is the nominate (predominant) subspecies of argali, a large-horned wild sheep endemic to the highlands of the Altai Mountains of Central Asia.
Altai argali are the largest sheep in the world, and also have some of the heaviest and most elaborate horns
Scientific name: Ovis ammon
why is the mountain sheep endangered ?
- Habitat loss
- Illegal killing
- Trophy Hunting
Where is the Mountain sheep found in Pakistan ?
In Pakistan, they are mostly found in the Khunjerab National Park and adjoining areas.
Sand cat
The sand cat is a small wild cat that inhabits sandy and stony deserts far from water sources.
Scientific name: Felis margarita
why is the sand cat endangered ?
- Habitat loss and degradation
- Pollution
Where is the sand cat found in Pakistan ?
The sand cat is found in the Chagai desert in South west Baluchistan.
Striped hyena
The striped hyena is a species of hyena native central asia. It is the only extant species in the genus Hyaena.
Scientific name: Hyaena hyaena
why is the striped hyena endangered ?
- habitat loss
- killing for medicine purpose
Where is the striped hyena found in Pakistan ?
The striped hyena is found in the Baluchistan and Sind kohistan
Caracal
The caracal is a medium-sized wild catn native to arid areas of Pakistan
Scientific name: Caracal caracal
why is the caracal endangered ?
- Habitat loss
- Increase Urbanisation
where is the caracal found in Pakistan ?
The caracal is found is the Thal desert, cholistan desert, kala chita hills, and salt range.