India's Vanishing Legacy: A Zoological Imperative
An in-depth exploration of India's critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable animal species, highlighting the urgent need for conservation and biodiversity preservation.
Explore Species 👇 Critical Status 🚨Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮
Conservation Overview
The Red List Initiative
India's commitment to global biodiversity conservation was underscored by the release of its Red List at the Rio+20 Earth Summit in 2012. This crucial document serves as a barometer for the health of the nation's diverse ecosystems, identifying species facing significant threats to their survival.
Escalating Threats
Initially, the 2018 Red List for India documented 132 species of plants and animals. However, the situation has become more dire. As of the 2023-1 update from the IUCN Red List, a staggering number of species are now classified as critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable. This includes over 950 animal species and more than 600 plant species, indicating a rapid increase in the number of species facing extinction risks within India's borders.
Categories of Concern
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorizes species based on their risk of extinction. These categories provide a standardized framework for assessing and prioritizing conservation efforts:
- Critically Endangered (CR): Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
- Endangered (EN): Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
- Vulnerable (VU): Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Understanding these classifications is fundamental to appreciating the urgency of conservation actions.
Critically Endangered
Arachnids (2 Species)
Even the smallest creatures play a vital role in ecosystems. India's critically endangered arachnids include unique tarantula species facing severe habitat loss.
Birds (19 Species)
A diverse array of avian species, from majestic bustards to rare ducks and vultures, are on the brink, highlighting widespread ecological pressures.
Fish (44 Species)
From the depths of the ocean to freshwater rivers, numerous fish species, including sharks and guitarfish, face an extreme risk of extinction.
Insects (2 Species)
Even small invertebrates, crucial for ecosystem health, are facing critical threats, including specific louse and damselfly species.
Mammals (11 Species)
Iconic and lesser-known mammals alike are critically endangered, from the elusive flying squirrel to various shrews and the Malabar large-spotted civet.
Reptiles & Amphibians (59 Species)
A vast number of reptiles and amphibians, including unique frogs, geckos, and turtles, are critically threatened, indicating severe habitat degradation in their ecosystems.
Cnidaria (1 Species)
The marine ecosystem also faces critical threats, with one species of fire coral possibly extinct.
Endangered Species
Arachnids (4 Species)
Several more arachnid species are classified as endangered, indicating significant population declines and habitat pressures.
Birds (20 Species)
A further twenty bird species are endangered, including various eagles, storks, and unique regional birds, underscoring the broad impact of environmental changes.
Crustaceans (2 Species)
Two crustacean species are also listed as endangered, highlighting threats to aquatic invertebrate life.
Echinoderms (4 Species)
Four echinoderm species, including various sea cucumbers, are endangered, reflecting stress on marine benthic environments.
Fish (Selected Species)
While the 2023 update lists 135 endangered fish species, the 2018 data highlighted several key examples, including the Asian arowana and Golden mahaseer.
Insects (4 Species)
Four insect species, including the Ludlow's Bhutan glory butterfly, are endangered, indicating specific threats to their habitats and life cycles.
Mammals (55 Species)
A significant number of mammals, ranging from the iconic Red panda and Asian elephant to various bats and dolphins, are endangered, reflecting widespread habitat loss and poaching pressures.
Mollusks (3 Species)
Three mollusk species are endangered, highlighting the vulnerability of freshwater and terrestrial gastropods.
Reptiles & Amphibians (Selected Species)
While the 2023 update lists 122 endangered reptile and amphibian species, the 2018 data provided specific examples, including various snakes, turtles, and geckos.
Cnidaria (4 Species)
Four coral species are endangered, highlighting the threats to India's marine coral reef ecosystems.
Vulnerable Species
Birds (4 Species)
Several bird species are classified as vulnerable, facing a high risk of becoming endangered if conservation efforts are not sustained.
Mammals (22 Species)
A significant number of mammals, including large carnivores, herbivores, and marine mammals, are vulnerable, requiring careful monitoring and protection.
Reptiles & Amphibians (1 Species)
One notable reptile species, the Olive ridley sea turtle, is classified as vulnerable, facing threats to its nesting sites and marine habitats.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Click here to open the "List Of Endangered Animals In India" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- Red list has 132 species of plants, animals from India
- IUCN. 2023. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2023-1. https://www.iucnredlist.org. Accessed on 23 January 2024.
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. The lists of species provided are based on the available data from the source of truth, which may represent a selection rather than an exhaustive list of all species within a given category as of the latest IUCN update.
This is not professional conservation advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for expert ecological assessment, conservation planning, or policy recommendations. Always refer to official conservation organizations, scientific literature, and qualified professionals for specific wildlife management and policy needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.