12 Vulnerable and Endangered Animal Species of Pakistan

An endangered animal is a term used for species of animals that are going to extinct in the future, while a vulnerable animal is the one which is in danger of being endangered. These animals are present in very limited numbers now. The reasons for extinction are anthropogenic activities and climate changes. Climate change is also induced by human activities. Anthropogenic activities like habitat fragmentation, hunting, killing, poaching, and illegal and nature destructive activities threaten the existence of animals. Once the species become extinct they are no longer found anywhere on the Earth. Endangered species can only be protected by restoring ecological habitats, banning illegal activities, and launching strict laws concerning wildlife protection systems.

Also read: Vulnerable, Endangered, Extinct Species-Short Easy Kids Info

There is a vast variety of animals present in Pakistan. Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa have unique species of animals. The animals of Pakistan are under threat due to climate change as well as human activities. 10 endangered animals of Pakistan are listed below with local name, scientific name, location, and photo.

1. MARKHOR

Common English Name: Screw horn goat

Scientific names: Capra falconeri

Local Names: Markhor

ICUN Status: Near Threatened

Location: Northern and Central Pakistan

 

2. INDUS  RIVER DOLPHIN

Common English Name: Indus River Dolphin

Scientific names: Platanista minor

Local Name: Bhulan; Blind dolphin

IUCN Status: Endangered

Location: Indus River

Also Check Out: 10 Critically Endangered Animals That Can Go Extinct By 2050

3. SINDH IBEX

Common English Name: Wild goat, Ibex

Scientific names: Capra aegagrus blythi

Local Name: Sindh ibex

National Status: Vulnerable

Location: Kirthar National Park, Sindh.

 

4. ASIAN BLACK BEAR

Common English Name: Asian Black  Bear

Scientific names: Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus

Local Name: Balochistan Black Bear; Kala Reech

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Location: Baluchistan, Pakistan

Image Source: Laura Wolf, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You might also want to check out: Endangered and Critically Endangered Bird Species of Pakistan

5. KASHMIR VOLE

Common English Name: Kashmir vole

Scientific names: Alticola montosa

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Location: Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

 

6. FISHING CAT

Common English Name: Fishing cat

Scientific names: Prionailurus viverrinus

Local Name: Jangli billi

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Location: Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab

 

7. BLACK-TAILED GAZELLE

Common English Name: Goitered gazelle or Black-tailed gazelle.

Scientific names: Gazella subgutturosa

Local Name: Hiran

IUCN Status: Endangered

Location: Southern Western Pakistan

You might also be interested in: Endangered and Critically Endangered Animals of Pakistan

8. INDIAN WILD ASS

Common English Name: Indian wild ass

Scientific names: Equus hemionus khur

Local Name: Khur

IUCN Status: Near Threatened

Location: Sindh and Baluchistan

 

9. ASIAN LEOPARD

Common English Name: Asian Leopard

Scientific names: Panthera pardus

Local Name: Cheetah

IUCN Status: Endangered

Location: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Baluchistan, Punjab, Azad Kashmir

Image Source: tropicaLiving, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

10. HIMALAYAN MUSK DEER

Common English Name: White-bellied/Himalayan musk deer

Scientific names: Cervus canadensis hanglu

Local Name: Himalaya Hiran

IUCN Status: Endangered

Location: Northern Pakistan

Image Source: Surajit Das, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Also check out: Unique Endangered Pangolin Species in Pakistan

11. SMOOTH COATED OTTER

Common English Name: Otter

Scientific names: Lutrogale perspicillata

Local Name: Oad Balao

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Location: KPK, Punjab, Sindh.

 

12. URIAL

Common English Name: Urial; Wild sheep

Scientific names: Ovis vignei

Local Name: Urial

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Location: Northern mountain regions of Pakistan including Hindu Kush and Himalayas.

Image Source:User:Hassanpishvaei, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has issued the current red list status of these animals under the following categories such as near threatened, vulnerable, and endangered. Strategic and conservative measures should be adopted by the wildlife sector who has been working for such animals. The Government of Pakistan should put a ban on illegal hunting and poaching of these endangered animals.

You might also want to check out: Illegal Wildlife Trade in Pakistan – Threat to Endangered Species

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