List of endangered species in Pakistan | Al-Ma'arif |

Muhammad Hanzala
0

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 namePanthera 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.

Post a Comment

0Comments

Post a Comment (0)