Category Endangered Animals

            As their name suggests, Chinese alligators are members of the alligator family native to China. Originally, their range extended through much of the country. But today, they can be spotted in swamps and ponds in the lower basin of the Yangtze River alone. The population of these alligators has been reduced due to exploitation of their habitat and poisoning of prey.

            The skins of Chinese alligators were once used to make drums but it was never a popular material for making leather products. Besides, these alligators do not attack humans. Yet, we treat them so badly that they are on the verge of extinction. In 1998, the largest area where alligators lived was a small pond along the Yangtze River, surrounded by farmland. And the number of individuals in them was 11!

            Poaching is another threat. These animals are hunted for their meat, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Apart from all these, they are killed simply because people think of them as a menace. Experts warn that unless extreme actions are taken, this subspecies will soon become extinct in the wild.

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            Believed to be the cutest in the world, Borneo elephants are a subspecies of Asian elephants native to the lowland forests of Indonesia and Malaysia. They are also known as pygmy elephants, with relatively small sizes, baby-faces, large ears, and plump bellies. The size of these elephants is a fifth smaller than the mainland Indian elephants.

            The tails of Bornean elephants are so long that they often drag it on the ground as they move.

            With a population less than 2000 altogether, they have been classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List. Due to massive deforestation, the habitats of these elephants in Borneo are fragmented. This leaves the animals without shelter and food. Conversion of forest land to commercial plantations, logging, expansion of agriculture fields, and palm plantations too have affected the lives of Bornean elephants very badly.

            They are also hunted down for their valuable tusks. Reports reveal that snares or poisons are often used in forests to catch the elephants. However, this endangered species is protected by law in Malaysia.

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            African wild dogs are members of the dog family that are seen in southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa, especially Tanzania, and Northern Mozambique. They mostly roam in savannah, open plains, and sometimes, in the woodlands of these countries.

            Once respected by several hunter-gatherer societies, African wild dogs are known by various different names like painted dogs, cape hunting dogs, and African hunting dogs. They are highly social, and live in packs of around 10 individuals.

            However, the dogs are most talked about for their reducing numbers. They are considered to be the most endangered predators of Africa. The major threats to their existence are killing, both accidental and targeted, as well as diseases like rabies, canine distemper etc.

            As human encroachment increases, the habitats of the wild dogs are destroyed. This is another factor that leads to Man-animal conflict.

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            Gharials are large crocodiles found in the Indian subcontinent. They are among the largest living crocodiles in the world. These animals have long snouts and mouths with around 110 sharp teeth. The name of this species comes from the unique shape of their snouts. The snouts resemble earthenware pots used in India known as ‘gharas’, hence the name gharials.

            These animals were seen in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar other than in India. But today, it is a critically endangered species that can be spotted only in India and Nepal.

            This change, experts say, has happened over the past decades. With increase in farming and agricultural practices, many habitats of the crocodiles were encroached. Then, factors like mining, pollution and other general disturbances contributed to environmental changes.

            History points out that the species came close to extinction by the 1970s, but was saved by a long-term captive breeding and re-introduction programme. However, in the late 1990s the population again declined. The National Chambal Sanctuary and Katar-niaghat Sanctuary are two of the places in the country where gharials are protected.

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            The proboscis monkey is a large tree-dwelling primate that is native to the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. With its long and pendulous nose, this is one among the most easily identifiable species of Borneo’s primates. Hence, it is also called the long-nosed monkey.

            Proboscis monkeys have partially webbed feet that make them excellent swimmers.

            Due to extensive habitat destruction and hunting, they have become endangered. Today, there are just less than 1000 of them remaining in the world. Conversion of forest land for agriculture, and palm-plantations pose major threats to their existence.

            They are also vulnerable to poaching. They are hunted for bush meat, as well as to make traditional Chinese medicine. Hence, the population is said to have reduced by more than 50 per cent in the past four decades.

            Experts note that proboscis monkeys are highly sensitive to digestive complications, noise pollution, diseases, and human interference. They are therefore, protected by law, throughout the Borneo range.

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            The black-footed ferret is a member of the weasel family that is native to North America. This short-legged animal with a slender body is perhaps, the rarest mammal in the country.

            They are nocturnal animals that leave their burrows at night. Most of their time is spent underground. Prairie dogs form the major part of the diet of a black-footed ferret. It is said that the animal eats more than 100 prairie dogs in a year.

            Once numbered in the tens of thousands, this ferret species had almost been extinct in the 1960s. But slowly, they made a comeback. However, black-footed ferrets are still endangered with just around 300 individuals in the wild, and almost the same number in captive breeding facilities.

            The main threat facing ferrets is habitat destruction. Non-native diseases too pose an equally dangerous challenge, hampering their recovery. Another reason is the massive killing of prairie dogs. This leaves ferrets without food. Many programmes have been undertaken to protect this species from extinction.

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