Three endangered species in Pakistan are described. The Indus River dolphin population is approximately 1,100 individuals and threatened by dams limiting their habitat. The Markhor population is less than 2,500 due to deforestation. Marco Polo sheep numbers have been rapidly decreasing in the last two decades and are threatened by overgrazing. Conservation efforts aim to protect and restore habitats and populations of these endangered species.

2. Endangered species are animals or plants that are
soon to die out. This means that once they become
extinct, they will never be seen on Earth again.
Many animals and plants become endangered and
extinct each year.
There are many reasons that can cause a species
of animals or plants to become endangered, or
even extinct

3. Why Species are becoming Endangered? becoming
endangered
Humans
Pollution
Hunting and
Fishing
Exotic Species
Cut down trees
Water Pollution People hunt for
fun
Animals kill
each other
Build Homes
Oil Spills
People hunt for
meat
Animals give
each other
disease
Build Roads
Throwing trash
on
the ground
People hunt for
fur
Why are animals becoming endangered

4. Indus River Dolphin:
•Is endemic to the lower Indus basin river
in Pakistan
•The construction of dams and barrages
has severely limited the dolphin’s
movement and habitat, as has increasing
withdrawal of water for agricultural and
industrial use.
•Approximately 1,100 of these animals
remain in Pakistan.
•The WWF has devoted some of their
resources to help protect this endangered
species.

5. Markhor (Capra-Falconeri)
•The markhor is found in northeastern
Afghanistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, HunzaNagar Valley, northern and central
Pakistan and the disputed territory of
Kashmir, southern Tajikistan and
southern Uzbekistan. The markhor is
most commonly found inhabiting the
high-altitude monsoon forests that
litter these areas
•Today, despite being the national animal of
Pakistan, the markhor is considered to be an
endangered species with less than 2,500
individuals thought to be left in a few
remote areas of the Asian mountains. The
decline in markhor population numbers in
mainly due to deforestation resulting in the
loss of their native habitats

6. Marco Polo sheep
•The Marco polo sheep (Ovis ammon
polii) is a subspecies
of argali sheep, named after Marco polo.
Their habitat is the mountainous regions
of Central Asia. Marco Polo sheep are
distinguishable mostly by their large size
and spiraling horns
•Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon) have a
scattered distribution in the Karakorum
Mountain Range and Hindu Kush. In
Pakistan, they are mostly found in the
Khunjerab National Park and adjoining
areas.
T

7. •The sheep have an endangered status and their numbers have been
rapidly decreasing in the last two decades. WWF-P plans to improve
the status of Marco Polo sheep through the implementation of the
Khunjerab National Park management plan, reduction of grazing
pressure in Karchanai Nalla, improvement of watch and ward
mechanisms, updating the population statistics, and identification of
additional sites where Marco Polo sheep occur.

8. •Snow Leopards are exceptional athletes and they can bring
down prey almost Their fur is very thick and it is grey in color with
brown/black markings. Their markings consist of spots around their
neck and lower limbs and rosettes on other parts of their body. These
markings help to camouflage them on the rocky slopes so they can sneak
up on their prey.
•The bones, skin and organs of large cats are valuable in traditional Asian
medicine. Tigers are the preferred species for this purpose, but tigers are so
rare that it is almost impossible to find one in the wild so snow leopards are
substituted for tigers. Humans have pushed ever further with their livestock
into the snow leopard’s habitat. Overgrazing damages the fragile mountain
grasslands, leaving less food for the wild sheep and goats that are the snow
leopard’s main prey. With less food for the wild sheep and goats, there
become fewer of these animals for the snow leopard.

9.  WWF-P has identified some of the critical habitats of the
Snow leopard and now plans to extend its scope of activities
by focusing on identifying critical habitats in NWFP, AJK and
Northern Areas. The number of Snow leopards killed by
grazers will be reduced by raising the awareness of local
communities and improving livestock protection, by training
and developing the skills of grazer communities.
Snow Leopard Project of WWF – Pakistan Getting up-close
and personal with the Snow Leopard.

10. The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet,
weighing as much as 200 tons (approximately 33
elephants). The blue whale has a heart the size of a
Volkswagen Beetle. Its stomach can hold one ton of krill
and it needs to eat about four tons of krill each day. They
are the loudest animals on Earth and are even louder than
a jet engine. Their calls reach 188 decibels, while a jet
reaches 140 decibels. Their low frequency whistle can be
heard for hundreds of miles and is probably used to
attract other blue whales. Whale population is dwindling
because of whaling, accidental collision with ships, and due to
global warming.

11. •Fishing cats range from about 25 pounds for males to about 15 pounds for
females. Head and body length is 25 to 34 inches. These cats have a long,
stocky body, relatively short legs, a broad head, round ears, and a short
tail. Their olive-gray fur has black stripes and
rows of black spots. They are strongly tied to densely vegetated areas near
water, in marshes, mangroves, rivers, and streams in Pakistan. The fishing
cat’s diet includes birds, small mammals, snakes, snails, and fish. The cat
attracts fish by lightly tapping the water's surface with its paw, mimicking
insect movements. Then, it dives into the water to catch the fish. Fishing
cats are listed as endangered on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened
Species. They are threatened by habitat loss and hunting for food and fur.
People have drained many wetland areas to make room for farmland and
roads. Pollution from industries has poisoned rivers and streams where
fishing cats once fed. However, fishing cats appear to do well in suburban
habitats, so they may prove adaptable to human activities that some other
species

12. Type of Asiatic bear and sub species of the Asian Black Bear,
Baluchistan bear is also referred to as the “moon bear” due to a
crescent-shaped chest mark. These solitary bears live in forest
habitats and can weigh over 300 pounds. Overall it is also smaller
than the other subspecies and is more varential and may be from
reddish-orange to deep black. The Baluchistan bear is found only
in the province of Baluchistan in southwest Pakistan and in
southeastern Iran.
Unfortunately these are yet another species of mammals that now
face extinction due to deforestation, loss of habitat and excessive
killing in fights for fun by local landlords. Those that survive are
threatened by hunting due to demand for the bears’ parts by
practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine.

13. •The White-headed Duck is a small stiff-tailed duck. Adult males have a grey and reddish body, a
blue bill and a largely white head with a black cap and neck. Adult females have a grey-brown
body with a white face and a darker bill, cap and a cheek stripe.
•White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala is a globally endangered species, and its population
have largely decreased in the last century. The wetlands of northern Pakistan are the main nonbreeding "wintering" ground for the South Asian population. Main threat to the White-headed
Duck population in Pakistan is the habitat loss. The shallow wetlands occupied by the duck
fluctuate naturallywith climatic conditions such as rainfall. The intensity of rainfall and the
amount of run- off determine the well being of the wetlands. Failure of rainfall in recent years
has adversely affected the wetlands and their extent has greatly been reduced. Hunting is not
allowed on these lakes but instances of illegal
•hunting and poaching are reported but hunting/ poaching of White-headed Duck has however
not been reported in recent years. The duck could however, also be hunted on its way without
being specifically targeted. Disturbances caused by fisheries operations at Khabekki, Nammal
and Kharal; recreational activities at Kallar-Kahar; and boating op
•Habitat improvement works like afforestation be carried out on priority basis in the watershed
areas to prevent silting of the lakes and expected habitat loss.Local communities are required to
be trained in efficient use of local fuels to minimize losses to the vegetation cover of the area.
•

14. The Green Turtle is the second largest species of marine turtle family after the
Leatherback turtle. It can grow up to 3.5 feet in carapace size, and could be as heavy
as 180 kilogram. In Pakistan, Green Turtle nests for eggs on Sand spit and Hawks-bay
beaches (Karachi) throughout the year with a remarkable apex from September to
January. Every year, an average of 800 nests has been observed at beaches of Karachi,
besides some coastal areas of the Baluchistan province. However, the Green Turtles
are facing extinction all over the world due to low growth rate and environmental
constraints.
The Marine Turtle Project in Pakistan is the last hope for the survival of Green Turtles
in our region. Though, the population of turtles has not been increased so far,
however it has been sustained to an extent that the Green Turtle can still be seen
nesting at the beaches of Karachi. If the project was not there, our next generation
would have never known how the Green Turtle looked like.
Our national heritage of biological diversity is an invaluable and irreplaceable
resource. Our quality of life and that of future generations depends on our
preservation of plant and animal species.
More knowledge of complete ecosystems can help us to better understand, and
protect, the requirements of all life--including the human species. Endangered
means there’s still time, but extinction is forever.