For all its life, India has been renowned as one of the countries with rich wildlife and biodiversity. Various kinds of wildlife habitats, such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands, are inhabited by diverse animals. The extinction of most of these animals took place due to hunting, deforestation, climate change, and many other human activities.
These animals serve as examples of what must be done to preserve our environment through wildlife conservation. Using paintings and illustrations, extinct species and their roles within India can never be erased from memory.
1. Asiatic Cheetah
The Asiatic Cheetah is an extinct species of cat that used to thrive in the Indian grasslands and forests. This animal was known for its agility, gracefulness, swiftness, and slender physique.
During the Mughal era, Asiatic cheetahs were hunted and tamed for sport. The excessive hunting and degradation of the cheetah habitat caused their extinction during the mid-20th century. Currently, only a few of them remain in the Iranian deserts.
2. Pink-Headed Duck
As the name suggests, this bird was notable for its bright pink head.
The main habitats of the species were wetlands and rivers of eastern India. The cause of their extinction was habitat destruction and overhunting.
3. Javan Rhinoceros
The Javan Rhinoceros existed in some regions of northeastern India. The animal was smaller in size and distinguished by skin folds when compared to the Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
Its excessive hunting, coupled with the decrease in the number of forests, led to its extinction in India many years back. Currently, it is found only in one national park in Indonesia.
4. Himalayan Quail
The Himalayan Quail was an endangered mountain bird existing in the Himalayan parts of India. The bird had distinct feather patterns, which helped it camouflage with the surroundings, like grass hillsides.
Not much data is available on the bird since it became extinct before researchers were able to learn more about it. According to ornithologists, it remains one of the greatest mysteries in India’s avifauna.
5. Indian Aurochs
