Endangered Species of Pakistan

Endangered Species

Plants and animal species that are at risk of extinction are known as endangered
species.” endangered species could be a species that has been categorized by the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as probably to become
extinct endangered is categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) is that the second most severe conservation standing for wild populations
In 2012, the IUCN Red List featured 3,079 animal and 2,655 plant species
as vulnerable worldwide The figures for 1998 were 1,102 and 1,197 severally .
Roughly 99 % of vulnerable species are in danger due to human activities alone like over-
population and pollution. By the first twenty first century it may be said that human beings are the
greatest threat to system and biodiversity. Loss of Habitats in two ways

 Indirect Destruction

We have also polluted some habitats with chemicals, making them unfit for wildlife.

 Direct Destruction

Animals also become extinct through hunting and capturing of animals.

Endangered Species of Pakistan involves both plants and animal.

Endangered Animal Species

Most of the endangered mammals are the snow leopards, Markhor, Marco Polo sheep, Siberian
Ibex, musk deer, brown bear, and Indus Dolphin. The population of many bird species like the
whooping Crane and red headed vulture is so decreased as to be heading towards decline in the
wild. Although no organized studies have been shown to calculate the status of many of these
species, some site-specific studies indicate that populations of these species is very low indeed.

The main reasons for such decline are over hunting, loss of habitat and fragmentation. The markhor
and Ibex occurred at lower elevations and were under heavy hunting pressure both for meat and
trophies. The musk deer has also been hunted so much for its scented shell that now it is considered
endangered.

Markhor

Markhor (C. falconeri) belongs to class Mammalia kingdom Animalia. Markhor is the national
animal of Pakistan. It is the largest species of goat family with long screwed horns. Markhor is a
Persian word means “snake eater”. The markhor is largely found in the northern areas of Pakistan
especially in Chitral, Ghizar and Hunza. They live at high altitudes, feed on grazing, and move
towards postures during winter season.

Population declines due to habitat loss, trophy hunting and competition for resources with
domestic grazers. Markhors are only a few thousands survive in the wild now.

Siberian Ibex

Siberian Ibex belongs to class Mammalia of kingdom Animalia. It is subspecies of the Alpine ibex.
It is the longest and weightiest member of the genus Capra. Siberian ibexes live mostly above the
tree line, in areas of steep slopes and rocks. They are seen in central and northern Asia northern
Pakistan

Threats to Ibex are failure to compete well with other species for food, hunting as its horns used
for decoration. Infections and diseases caught from local livestock, and climatic conditions

Snow leopard

Snow leopard (P. uncia) belongs to class Mammalia of kingdom Animalia. The snow leopard has
thick, wide great smoky greyish fur with black rosettes and destinations, and a very lengthy wide
trail. Considering up to 75 kg, it has huge, well-cushioned, the present total population of snow
leopards in the wild is estimated at around 4,000 in the world

The snow leopard is an apex predator found in the mountain wilderness of the Himalayan and
Central Asian region. Feed on Wild goat, markhor, Himalayan goat and sometimes domestic
animals as they are predators
In Pakistan, the snow leopard is found only in the Hindu Kush and Karakoram region of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir with an estimated population of around 200-
420

Threats are Hunting for coat, bones, Global warming, destroying their habitat, Poaching of snow
leopards for illegal trade of skin. When the prey is rare, snow leopards find their way towards
domestic livestock which ultimately bring them into direct conflict with native people

Marco Polo Sheep

Marco Polo sheep is a subspecies of argali sheep that belongs to the bovid family. Marco Polo
sheep are best recognized by their big horns that are distinguishing for males. Marco Polo sheep
are herbivores and travel from mountains toward the pastures at the start of the winter. It can be
found in Pakistan and other parts of south Asia. They inhabit mountains, valleys, gentle hills and
highland pastures on high altitudes.

Number of Marco Polo sheep in the wild is decreasing due to Hunting for meat, skin and horns
and praying by snow leopards, wolves

Himalayan Brown Bear

The Himalayan brown bear is the subspecies of brown bear. They are omnivores. They will also
prey on large mammals, including sheep and goats. The bears are found in North Pakistan. The
bears go into hibernation around October and emerge during April and May.

Threats to brown bears are hunting as their claws are used for ornamental purpose. Their internal
organs are used in medicine. Other threats to bears are loss of habitat, climate change,
Deforestation, hunting, global warming. They are critically endangered in Pakistan and extinct in
most of the natural habitat locally.

Indus River Dolphin

Indus River Dolphins are one of the worlds most specialized Freshwater dolphins. It differs from
other dolphins in the broad, spade-shaped flippers and the rostrum, or beak which is relatively long
and very slender. The color is purplish grey. The skin is soft and satiny to the touch in surprising
contrast to harsh skin of shark. Average body length is 1.3 m and average weight is 21kg.

Habitat of Indus Dolphins are fresh waters, riverine habitats such as Indus. Found in Sukkur,
Guddu and Chashma barrages. Threats to Indus dolphin are Habitat degradation due to
construction of dams and barrages, increased water pollution, over fishing practices, considered
harmful species by fishermen, occasionally got stranded in Canals

Blue Whale

An animal living in oceanic waters. It is the largest animal over to have lived. The IUCN courts
the blue whale is endangered. It lives in depths of oceans. Found all over the world and sometimes
in Indian ocean.

Blue whales feed almost on krill found in depths of oceans, though they also eat small amounts
of copepods. Different sea animals and plants eaten by whales are differ from one ocean to other
ocean. Whale population is decreasing because of Whaling Orcas (whale killer) an oceanic dolphin
specie, Accidental collision with ships, Global warming.

Green Sea Turtles

Turtle species of sea turtles in the world that found at the Sindh and Baluchistan beaches of
Pakistan. Their habitats vary from the tropical to sub-tropical areas of the world. The sandy
beaches of Sindh and Baluchistan are important living places for sea turtles. Sea turtle spend most
of their life time in seas but some adults moves towards the beaches and other coastal areas

Threats to green sea turtles are Water Pollution, Robbing, trapped in fishing nets, hit by boats,
Illegal collection and killings which results in rapid decrease of green sea turtles

Endangered Birds Species

Some of the endangered Birds species are whooping white crane, red headed vulture, white headed
duck yellow eyed pigeon
White Whooping Crane

White Whooping Crane (Grus americana) belongs to class Aves of Animal kingdom. The most
noticeable character of whooping crane is the large red patch on the head. They are almost white.
They have yellow eyes and thin, black legs. They are omnivores. They feed upon crustaceans,
small fishes, insects, amphibians and reptiles. They can also eat grains, marsh plants. They are
elegant flyers and are able to utilize wind and thermal gusts.

Habitat of Whooping cranes like wetlands, marshes, mudflats and fields. Reason of to be extinction
is whooping crane has suffered major population decline due to habitat loss and over hunting.

Red Headed Vulture

Red Headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) belongs to Class Aves of Kingdom Animalia. The purpose
of the bald head of a vulture has been assumed to be a form of protection from infection, as they
put their whole heads into the carcasses. The red-headed vulture is one of the few species of large
vulture that does not live in large groups, usually found alone or in a breeding pair.

Their diet consists of carrion and feed on carcasses of large ungulates, birds, turtles and fishes.
They tend to build large, flat nests at the tops of tall trees. Habitat of this species is found in low
numbers across Pakistan except in the western Himalayan foothills where it is common. Reason
of to be extinction is after massive decline probably due to the veterinary drug ingested with the
carcasses of livestock, this species is today Critically endangered.

White Headed Duck

White Headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) belongs to class Aves of kingdom Animalia. Males
have white heads with black caps and blue bills, which are enlarged at the base. Females have
white faces with dark caps, cheek-stripes and less swollen bills. White-headed ducks are diving
ducks and are reluctant to fly in general.
Habitat is largest populations of white-headed ducks are found in north East areas of Pakistan.
White-headed ducks inhabit freshwater lakes as well as alkaline, saline, and eutrophic lakes
connected with larger wetland complexes. Reason of to be extinction is most of this decline is due
to habitat loss and hunting, but interbreeding of the Spanish population with the introduced ruddy
duck is a more recent threat.

Yellow Eye Pigeon

Yellow Eyed Pigeon (Columba eversmanni) belongs to class Aves. There is bare area of yellowish
skin around the eye, the iris is yellow, the beak is yellowish and the feet pink. It is particularly
attracted to areas with mulberry trees. Feeds on the ground, taking seeds, and maize and other
cereals from stubble and berries.

Habitat of yellow-eyed pigeon breeds in Middle East and some areas of south Asia like Pakistan.
It migrates southwards in the autumn to overwinter in Pakistan, north-western India and
northwestern China. Reason of to be extinction Þ The chief threat this bird faces is hunting

Conclusion

Humans are the main reason behind the endangered species. Over-Population, pollution every kind
of, destruction of wildlife habitat for their own almost 99% endangered species are due to human
beings. Instead of being we protect and conserve them we destroying our own wildlife just foe
entertainment, food, and for our own needs and necessities.