a presentation about the endangered animals of south Asia

1. Endangered and Extinct Species
of Southern Asia
By Azka Javeria

2. Since a pretty long time Southern Asia has been
home to many amazing species of animals, such as
the brown bears, green turtles, snow leopards or
the ibex.
However since the time of ‘British India’ these
animals are dying at a fast rate. These animals and
the causes of their extinction have been
documented by many wildlife organizations, namely
WWF, WCS and AAF.
I have decided to document some of these animals
and make this presentation. I am addressing Asian
wildlife organizations hoping that they may help
these animals and keep the ecosystem well
balanced, lets just hope it goes well…

3. Nilgai or the Blue Bull
The Nilgai is the largest of Pakistan’s wild animals
and the largest Asian antelope.
It weighs up to 250 kilograms. It is endangered and
the few of those left are found in the savannah
areas near the Cholistan desert and parts of
northern and central India.
Its scientific name is Boselaphus Tragocamelus.

4. Black Buck
It is one of the fastest species of antelopes on
earth.
It became extinct in Pakistan in the 1960s but
the population was re-established with captive
specimens brought in from Texas USA. Now only
the Indian subcontinent is their habitat.
Its scientific name is Antilope Cervicapra.

5. Chiltan Markhor
It is one of Asia’s most beautiful yet critically
endangered species of wild goats.
It was found in north-eastern Afghanistan
northern Pakistan, southern Tajikistan and
southern Uzbekistan. However it is now only
found in the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park
near Quetta.
Its scientific name is Capra Falconeri Falconeri.

6. Punjab Urial
It is the rarest of south Asia’s wild sheep. It lives
only on the Salt and Kala Chitta Mountain
ranges in northern Punjab.
It is endangered because of illegal hunting and
kidnapping of lambs.
Its scientific name is Ovis Vignei Punjab Iensis.

7. Giant Panda
The world famous panda is known because of its
rarity. It was reported by WWF about fifteen
years ago that approximately only 1000 of the
pandas are left.
The panda is native to southwestern and central
China. It feeds on bamboos.
They are scientifically named Ailuropoda
Melanoleuca.

8. Brown Bear
It is found in Eurasia, southern Asia and North
America. It lives in the high alpine regions on the
mountains.
It is highly endangered and less than 40 animals
may be left alive. Even though it has a larger
lifespan than most animals and can live up to 35
years.
Its scientific name is Ursus Arctos.

9. The Great One-
Horned Rhinoceros
This unique rhino is native to the subcontinent. It
used to roam freely in Punjab but was wiped out
during the late Mogul era, probably because of the
increasing urban settlements. Only a few of these
rhinos still exist.
It can run as fast as 55km per hour. Its height can
reach up to 1.9 meters.
This rhino is scientifically named ‘Rhinoceros
Unicornis.’

10. Snow Leopard
The snow leopard has been ranked as Asia’s most
endangered big cat.
It has claimed the Himalayan, Hindukush, and
Karakoram mountains as its habitat. It preys upon
the Himalayan ibex commonly found there.
Its scientific name is Uncia Uncia.

11. Cheetah
The fastest animal on earth is also endangered.
It used to be common in Africa and Asia.
However it is believed to have become exctinct
in South Asia around the 1940s. A few may be
left in Balochistan.
Its scientific name is Acinonyx Jubatus.

12. Houbara Bustard
This bird was common in the drier areas of
Pakistan, but now only a few these species are
left here, due to excessive hunting. This bustard
is also found in arid areas in northern Africa.
This bustard’s scientific name is Chlamydotis
Undulata.

13. Golden Eagle
It is the largest of Pakistan’s eagles. It lives in
alpine areas. It is native to the subcontinent but
is also wide spread along the northern
hemisphere.
It preys on a wide range of birds and mammals
including young ibex.
Its scientific name is Aquila Chrysaetos.

14. Greater Flamingo
These long legged birds are usually found in
large groups in lakes, river estuaries and on the
coast. The flamingo is wide spread along the
globe. It is found in the Indian subcontinent,
Africa, Middle East and southern Europe, yet it is
endangered.
They feed on algae and make their nests entirely
out of mud.
Their scientific name is Phoenicopterus Roseus.

15. White-headed Duck
These birds are native to Pakistan and are one of
the smallest birds.
They are highly endangered and only about 700
to 800 of them are still left in Pakistan.
Their scientific name is Oxyura Leucocephalas.

16. Green Turtle
Like many other marine turtles these species are
endangered because of water pollution.
They lay there eggs in shallow holes dug on sea
shores. These turtles are found on the beaches of
Sindh and Balochistan.
Its scientific name is Chelonia Mydas.