List of endangered species in Pakistan facts for kids

Pakistan is home to many amazing animals, but some of them are in danger of disappearing forever. These are called endangered species. This means there are very few of them left, and they need our help to survive. Many things can make animals endangered, like losing their homes (habitat), pollution, or being hunted too much. Let's learn about some of these special animals in Pakistan.

Mammals

Mammals are warm-blooded animals that usually have fur or hair and feed their babies milk. Many unique mammals in Pakistan are facing big challenges. Some are even endemic, which means they are found only in Pakistan and nowhere else in the world!

• Mountain Weasel (Mustela altaica)

A Mountain Weasel, a small hunter of the mountains.

This small, quick hunter lives in the high mountains. It is a type of weasel that is very good at catching its prey.

• Mountain Sheep (Ovis ammon)

A large Mountain Sheep, also known as an Argali.

Also known as the Argali, these are the largest wild sheep in the world. They have huge, curling horns and live in rocky, open areas.

• Asian Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus)

An Asian Black Bear.

These bears have shaggy black fur and a light-colored patch on their chest. They live in forests and mountains, but their homes are shrinking.

• Balochistan Forest Dormouse (Dryomys niethammeri)

This tiny, mouse-like animal is endemic to Pakistan. It lives only in the juniper forests near Ziarat in Balochistan. Losing its forest home is a big threat to this little creature.

• Black Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides)

A Black Finless Porpoise swimming.

This marine mammal lives in the coastal waters of Pakistan. Sadly, it often gets caught in fishing nets. Pollution and busy boat traffic also make it hard for them to survive.

• Burrowing Vole (Hyperacrius fertilis)

This small rodent is endemic to the Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions. Its habitat is being lost because of too much livestock grazing and human activities.

• Kashmir Vole (Alticola montosa)

The Kashmir Vole is found in only a few places in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir. Like other voles, it is losing its home due to human activities.

• European Otter (Lutra lutra)

An European Otter by the water.

This playful animal lives in the river systems of the Himalayas in Pakistan. It is listed as an endangered species here.

• Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna)

A Marbled Polecat, known for its unique fur pattern.

This animal mostly lives in desert areas. It is facing a major threat because its habitat is being destroyed.

• Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)

A Fishing Cat, skilled at catching fish.

As its name suggests, this wild cat is an expert at catching fish! It lives near wetlands and rivers.

• Himalayan Goral (Naemorhedus goral)

A Himalayan Goral standing on rocks.

The Goral is a small, goat-like animal that lives in the steep, rocky slopes of the Himalayas.

• Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus leucogaster)

This shy deer is known for the special scent gland that males have. It lives in high mountain forests.

• Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)

An Indian Pangolin, covered in scales.

The pangolin is a unique mammal covered in hard, protective scales. It eats ants and termites using its long, sticky tongue.

• Chinese White Dolphin (Sousa chinensis)

A Chinese White Dolphin, sometimes appearing pink.

These dolphins are often seen in coastal waters. They can sometimes appear pink!

• Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor)

An Indus River Dolphin, with its long snout.

This amazing dolphin is endemic to Pakistan, meaning it lives only in the Indus River. It is nearly blind and uses echolocation to find its way.

• Kashmir Muskdeer (Moschus cupreus)

Similar to the Himalayan Musk Deer, this species is also found in the Kashmir region.

• Hairy-footed Gerbil (Gerbillus gleadowi)

This small rodent has hairy feet, which help it move across sandy desert areas.

• Markhor (Capra falconeri)

A majestic Markhor with its spiral horns.

The Markhor is Pakistan's national animal, famous for its incredible spiral horns. It lives in the rugged mountains.

• Pallas's Cat (Otocolobus manul)

A fluffy Pallas's Cat.

This small, fluffy wild cat lives in cold, rocky grasslands. It has a very thick coat to keep warm.

• Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)

A Red Deer stag with impressive antlers.

Red deer are large deer with reddish-brown fur. Males grow large antlers.

• Sand Cat (Felis margarita)

A Sand Cat in its desert home.

The Sand Cat is a small wild cat that lives in sandy deserts. A special type of Sand Cat, Felis margarita scheffeli, is endemic to Pakistan.

• Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata)

A Smooth-coated Otter.

This otter has very smooth fur and is often found in larger rivers and lakes.

• Wild Goat (Capra aegagrus)

A Wild Goat with long, curved horns.

The Wild Goat is the ancestor of our domestic goats. Two special types, Capra aegagrus blythi and Capra aegagrus chialtanensis, are endemic to Pakistan.

• Brown Bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus)

A Himalayan Brown Bear.

This large bear is found in the high mountains. It is considered critically endangered in Pakistan.

• Honey Badger (Melivora capensis)

A Honey Badger, known for being tough.

Honey badgers are known for being fearless and tough. They are critically endangered in Pakistan.

• Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena)

A Striped Hyena.

These unique animals are mostly active at night. They are critically endangered in Pakistan.

• Caracal (Caracal caracal)

A Caracal with its distinctive ear tufts.

The Caracal is a medium-sized wild cat with long, tufted ears. It is critically endangered in Pakistan.

• Leopard (Panthera pardus)

A Leopard resting.

Leopards are powerful big cats with beautiful spotted coats. They are critically endangered in Pakistan.

• Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)

A majestic Snow Leopard.

This magnificent big cat lives in the snowy mountains. It is critically endangered in Pakistan.

• Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur)

An Indian Wild Ass family.

This wild donkey lives in dry, desert areas. It is critically endangered in Pakistan.

• Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa)

A Goitered Gazelle.

These graceful gazelles live in open plains and deserts. They are critically endangered in Pakistan.

• Himalayan Marmot (Marmota himalayana)

A Himalayan Marmot.

Marmots are large ground squirrels that live in burrows in high mountain areas. They are critically endangered in Pakistan.

Reptiles

Reptiles are cold-blooded animals with scales, like snakes and lizards.

• Testudo horsfieldii (Horsfield's Tortoise)

Birds

Pakistan is a home or a stopover for many beautiful birds. Here are some that are endangered:

• Aythya baeri (Baer's Pochard)
• Sterna acuticauda (Black-bellied Tern)
• Threskiornis melanocephalus (Black-headed Ibis)
• Limosa limosa (Black-tailed Godwit)
• Chaetornis striata (Bristled Grassbird)
• Catreus wallichii (Cheer Pheasant)
• Aegypius monachus (Cinereous Vulture)
• Pelecanus crispus (Dalmatian Pelican)
• Neophron percnopterus (Egyptian Vulture)
• Numenius arquata (Eurasian Curlew)
• Falco peregrinus peregrinus (Peregrine Falcon)
• Coracias garrulus (European Roller)
• Aythya nyroca (Ferruginous Duck)
• Ardeotis nigriceps (Great Indian Bustard)
• Clanga clanga (Greater Spotted Eagle)
• Chlamydotis undulata (Houbara Bustard)
• Rynchops albicollis (Indian Skimmer)
• Clanga hastata (Indian Spotted Eagle)
• Gyps indicus (Indian Vulture)
• Ficedula subrubra (Kashmir Flycatcher)
• Falco jugger (Laggar Falcon)
• Phoeniconaias minor (Lesser Flamingo)
• Falco naumanni (Lesser Kestrel)
• Anser erythropus (Lesser White-fronted Goose)
• Tetrax tetrax (Little Bustard)
• Locustella major (Long-billed Bush Warbler)
• Marmaronetta angustirostris (Marbled Teal)
• Anhinga melanogaster (Oriental Darter)
• Mycteria leucocephala (Painted Stork)
• Columba eversmanni (Pale-backed Pigeon)
• Haliaeetus leucoryphus (Pallas's Fish Eagle)
• Circus macrourus (Pallid Harrier)
• Prinia burnesii (Rufous-vented Prinia)
• Falco cherrug (Saker Falcon)
• Grus antigone (Sarus Crane)
• Grus leucogeranus (Siberian Crane)
• Vanellus gregarius (Sociable Lapwing)
• Phylloscopus tytleri (Tytler's Leaf Warbler)
• Tragopan melanocephalus (Western Tragopan)
• Oxyura leucocephala (White-headed Duck)
• Gyps bengalensis (White-rumped Vulture)
• Indicator xanthonotus (Yellow-naped Honeyguide)

Fishes

Fish live in the waters of Pakistan, from rivers to the ocean.

• Aetomylaeus nichofii (Banded Eagle Ray)
• Thunnus obesus (Bigeye Tuna)

Marine animals

Pakistan's coast and ocean waters are home to many marine creatures, including beautiful corals.

Corals

Corals are tiny animals that live in colonies and build hard, stony skeletons. They create amazing underwater cities called coral reefs, which are homes for many other sea creatures.

• Acropora species like Acropora formosa, Acropora pharaonis, Acropora hyacinthus, Acropora horrida, Acropora granulosa
• Birdsnest coral: Seriatopora caliendrum
• Blue coral: Heliopora coerulea
• Closed brain coral: Leptoria phrygia
• Crisp pillow coral: Anomastraea irregularis
• Erythrastrea flabellata
• Pseudosiderastrea tayami
• Fungia curvata
• Goniastrea peresi, Goniopora stokesi, Goniopora lobata, Goniopora columna
• Hydnophora microconos, Hydnophora exesa
• Montastrea annuligera
• Montipora venosa, Montipora stilosa, Montipora foliosa
• Favites flexuosa, Favites flexuosa, Favites chinensis, Favites micropentagona, Favites halicora
• Galaxea astreata
• Tubipora musica
• Parasimplastrea sheppardi
• Pavona venosa, Pavona diffluens, Pavona decussata, Pavona cactus
• Physogyra lichtensteini
• Platygyra species like Platygyra lamellina
• Porites species like Porites harrisoni, Porites echinulata
• Psammocora contigua
• Acanthastrea species like Acanthastrea hillae
• Turbinaria species like Turbinaria reniformis, Turbinaria peltata

See also

• List of mammals of Pakistan
• List of birds of Pakistan