Imagine tracking down some of the rarest animals on the planet, deep in India’s wild, majestic landscapes. If you’re a traveler with an adventurous soul then this isn’t just a wildlife checklist, but a dream come true for you! With sightings this rare, it’s no wonder each of these critically endangered species in India is so cherished.
So, grab your gear, and let’s dive into the adventure. Some requisites of this journey are to know what animals are endangered, a map to where you might spot them, and some tips for snapping that perfect shot. Let’s jump right into this list of critically endangered species in India.
List Of Endangered Species In India
- The Elusive Asiatic Lion
- The Great Indian Bustard
- Kashmir Stag (Hangul)
- Pygmy Hog
- Red Panda
- Nilgiri Tahr
- Snow Leopard
- Ganges River Dolphin
- Forest Owlet
- Jerdon’s Courser
1. Asiatic Lion
First up, start your adventure from the West in Gujarat. In the Gir National Park, roaring in all its might is the ferocious Asiatic Lion.
It’s one of the most elusive big cats in the world and sadly there are only a few of these left in India. Did you know that the Asiatic lion is found only in our country and Gir is its last remaining stronghold?
You can catch a glimpse of this majestic creature by following the designated routes within the park. This keeps the lion’s habitat undisturbed and gives them space to roam. Get up early for the golden-hour glow.
Not only does the light make for stunning shots, but lions are most active during early mornings. Keep your distance and let a powerful zoom lens do the magic!
Plan a trip to Gir National Park between October and June because that’s when it’s open for visitors.
How To Reach:
By Flight: The nearest airport is Keshod which is 54 km away. You can cover the remaining distance via a cab.
By Train: Junagadh and Veraval serve as the closest railway stations that connect to the national park.
By Road: Gir National Park is easily accessible by bus or cabs via Veraval which is 42 km away.
2. The Great Indian Bustard
Going a little upward, take your backpacks and cameras to Rajasthan to spot another endangered animal in India. In the Desert National Park lives the heaviest flying bird in the world – the great Indian Bustard.
Known for its striking black cap and white feathers, the bustard is a sight you can’t easily forget.
Use a camera that comes with a silent shutter mode, so you don’t spook this rare find. Every bit helps to keep them from feeling threatened.
Spotting them isn’t easy, so patience is your best ally. A good set of binoculars or a zoom lens will help you catch a glimpse without getting too close so you don’t scare the bird away.
How To Reach:
By Flight: Jodhpur Airport is the nearest airport to Jaisalmer. Once you reach here, you can hire a cab to the national park.
By Train: Jaisalmer has a railway station of its own which you can reach directly. From here cabs will take you straight to Desert National Park.
By Road: This city is well connected to most other cities in Rajasthan by state transportation.
3. Kashmir Stag (Hangul)
Go further up north towards Jammu & Kashmir and you will see one of the most critically endangered species in India, the Kashmir Stag or Hangul. It can be found in Dachigam National Park.
Fun Fact?
With its striking antlers, which can have up to 16 points, Hangul is the only species of red deer in the country.
To witness this magnificent animal in all its glory, plan your visit between April and September, when the Hangul’s antlers are fully grown, and they roam the park in search of food.
The contrast of autumn leaves against their coat makes for an epic photo. Again, as these species are critically endangered, it’s advised to protect their habitat as much as possible and you can do that by not venturing too much onto the offbeat path – stick to the route!
How To Reach:
By Flight: To reach Dachigam National Park, you can fly directly to Srinagar International Airport from where local taxis will take you to your destination.
By Train: Once you reach Srinagar Railway Station take a cab. It’s a brief 32 km drive to the park.
By Road: The Dachigam National Park is easily accessible via road from Srinagar via local buses.
4. Snow Leopard
A few miles away from Kashmir, there’s another critically endangered species in India that can be found in Hemis National Park, Ladakh.
Colloquially known as “Ghost of the Mountains,” Snow Leopards are experts in camouflage and are rarely seen in the wild.
Their thick fur and stocky build help them survive in the chilly heights.
Not only are these beasts a rare species, but they’re also one of the most dangerous big cats so don’t try spotting them on your own.
Hiring a local guide will not only support the community but also help ensure the least disturbance to the animal and your own life!
As scary as it may seem, winter is the prime time to see one of these because snow leopards come closer to villages in search of food.
If you’re a wildlife photographer, a telephoto lens is essential because the Snow Leopard is extremely cautious.
How To Reach:
By Flight: The closest airport is in Leh. Once you arrive, take a local cab to the National Park which is approximately 40 km away.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi, which is well-connected to major cities in India.
By Road: You can reach Hemis National Park via one of two routes – via the Srinagar-Leh or the Manali-Leh state roadways.
The distance from Srinagar is 403 km while from Manali it’s 471 km. Srinagar is usually the preferred route but it can be closed at times.
5. Pygmy Hog
After exploring the west and north, it’s time to head to Assam in the East to further explore our list of endangered animals.
Pygmy Hog, found in the Manas National Park, is the rarest and smallest breed of pigs – barely the size of a rabbit.
Care for a fun little trivia?
This particular animal was once thought to be extinct, but these little creatures have made a surprising comeback (maybe they just became too hard to spot because of their size!).
Getting a close enough glance of the Pygmy Hog can get very challenging because they camouflage completely in tall grass. Your only hit here can be a good amount of patience and a great camera.
Also, avoid loud noises, as these hogs are incredibly shy. Quiet observation not only increases your chances of seeing one but also minimizes stress on these rare creatures.
How To Reach:
By Flight: From Guwahati Airport, you can arrange private transportation or hire a local cab to the National Park. This will take you around 4-5 hours to cover the distance of 136 km.
By Train: Approximately 20 km away from the park, Barpeta Railway Station is the nearest railhead. The remaining distance can be covered via local transport.
By Road: Manas National Park is well-connected to cities within Assam via state transportation (ASTC). If you’re traveling by a cab, NH 27 is the best route as it’s only 133 km away and the closest to the park.
6. Red Panda
Moving slightly inwards into India now, the next critically endangered species is the Red Panda in West Bengal. With their cute faces and bushy tails, they deserve all the attention they get in the Singalila National Park.
This breed thrives in high altitude regions, but if you’re lucky enough one or two of them can be spotted in the grasslands of Bengal.
However, if you thought these are variants of the Giant Panda that’s not the case as red pandas aren’t related to them.
To spot them, early mornings are your best bet because these little bears climb down from the trees in search of food or to mate. You can then capture them amidst the misty Himalayan forest.
The key to getting a memorable view of the Red Panda is to stick to the designated trekking path, allowing these adorable pandas to remain undisturbed and stress-free.
How To Reach:
By Flight: Bagdogra Airport is the closest airway to the park. You can hire local transport to cover the remaining 93 km and get to your destination.
By Train: Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station. From here there are shared jeeps and taxis to drive 90 km to Singalila National Park.
By Road: The national park is well connected to major cities in West Bengal via state transportation.
7. Ganges River Dolphin
Going further into the mainland of India, your next stop is at Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar.
And guess what are we going to spot her? (Drumrolls!) That’s right – the Ganges River Dolphin.
It’s one of the oldest species of dolphin to exist to date and also goes by the name Susu. One way to identify it is by its long, thin snout, rounded belly, and large flippers.
Did you know that these large creatures are essentially blind and navigate by locating echoes?
Bet you won’t be able to spot this when you see their playful jumps and spins in the river waters. They also happen to be one of the only breeds of dolphins that thrive in freshwater.
If you wake up early, you’ll likely spot these joyful babies jumping mid-air, as they are most active during the morning hours.
Just a reminder, avoid plastic waste around rivers, as pollution directly impacts these freshwater dolphins.
How To Reach:
By Flight: From Patna Airport, you must take a train or bus to Bhagalpur from where the sanctuary is shortly located.
By Train: Bhagalpur Junction is 10-15 km away from the sanctuary. The remaining distance is easily covered by local transport.
By Road: Bihar is well connected to other cities via state roadways from places like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand.
8. Nilgiri Tahr
After that holy visit to the Ganges and the rare dolphins, gallop your way into the South to see the Nilgiri Tahr.
Living in the Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, these are mountain goats that are native to the Western Ghats. These guys are expert cliff climbers and can be found grazing on steep slopes.
Pro tip: It’s best not to feed or approach the tahrs, as they thrive on a natural diet and need their space to feel comfortable.
Observing them from a distance keeps the experience more authentic and safe, for both you and the mountain goats!
Some of the unfortunate reasons for this species being critically endangered are deforestation and demise due to certain poisonous plants being consumed as food on the hills.
How To Reach:
By Flight: Cochin International Airport is the closest. From here you can travel the remaining 135 km by bus or hire a cab directly to the park.
By Train: From Aluva Railway Station, drive 120 km or take a taxi to the national park.
By Road: Munnar is well-connected to most cities in Kerala via state transportation.
9. Jerdon’s Courser
The list of endangered species in India doesn’t yet end – not without you knowing about this rare, nocturnal bird.
In Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, Jerdon’s Cursor is easily spotted because of its unique features like big eyes, and a short, bicolored bill. But the most important identification is its abode – this bird thrives in the dry thornlands.
Surprisingly, this tiny bird was also thought extinct until it was rediscovered in 1986. It’s known for its soft, melodic call that you can hear only during the night.
Since it’s a nocturnal creature, spotting it becomes difficult as wildlife sanctuaries and national parks close at sunset. So your best shot at witnessing this rare creature is at dusk.
However, if you have permission for an overnight stay, we’d suggest you take a tripod camera along for beautiful night shots.
How To Reach:
By Train: You can reach Kadapa directly as the city has its own railway station. From here the sanctuary is about 60 km which can be covered by local buses.
By Road: Kadapa is well-connected to most cities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana via state transportation.
10. Forest Owlet
We’ve kept the best for the last. After having traversed across the country in search of rare sights, there’s one critically endangered species in India that’s yet to be explored and you can find that in Maharashtra.
In Melghat Tiger Reserve thrives the forest owlet, one of the rarest owls on the planet! It was rediscovered only in the 1990s after being thought extinct for over a century.
Their nests are usually in tree hollows, so look up. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, a long lens will help you capture its intense gaze from afar. However, avoid flash photography, as bright light can disturb them.
How To Reach:
By Flight: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur is approximately 250 km from the tiger reserve. This distance can be covered by bus. Another option is to travel to Badnera Junction by train and reach the reserve which is only 10 km away from there.
By Train: Badnera Junction is connected to most major Indian cities and from here you can take a cab to cover the remaining 10 km.
By Road: Maharashtra State Road Transport (MSRTC) buses run to towns like Paratwada and Chikhaldara, from where local transport options can take you to Melghat.
Summing Up
India’s critically endangered species are more than rare wildlife sightings, they’re experiences one simply can’t miss. By exploring with a lens of respect and conservation, you help preserve these precious creatures for future generations. So, grab that camera, pack your sense of wonder, and head out on a journey of a lifetime!
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here are some frequently asked questions about tiger reserves in india:
Q1. What Are 5 Endangered Animals In India?
Five endangered animals in India are:
- Kashmiri Red Stag
- Lion-Tailed Macaque
- Blackbuck
- One-Horn Rhinoceros
- Snow Leopard
Q2. How Many Animals Are Critically Endangered In India?
In India, there are more than 70 species of endangered animals. These are called so because they fit the definition of critically endangered species set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. As per IUCN, critically endangered species refer to those flora and fauna that are facing a very high risk of extinction in their natural habitat.
Q3. Why Are Animals Endangered?
Animals are endangered because of practices like hunting and poaching. Besides these practices, habitat degradation, deforestation, and excessive human intervention also cause animals to be endangered.
Q4. Which Animal Is Rarest In India?
While the list of rare animals in India is long, the Gee’s Golden Langur is the rarest animal in India.
Q5. What Is IUCN Meaning?
IUCN stands for International Union for Conservation of Nature. This is a global organization working towards protecting and conserving nature and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.
