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
The Indian Aurochs was a powerful and muscled wild bovine. It was considered the ancestor of all domestic cattle, and it existed in India in ancient times.
It became extinct due to overhunting and loss of natural habitats several centuries ago.
6. Sumatran Rhinoceros in India
The Sumatran Rhinoceros lived in the tropical forests of northeastern India. Compared to other rhinos, the Sumatran Rhinoceros was small and hairy.
Loss of habitat and hunting for horns caused its extinction in India.
7. Zanzibar Leopards in Indian Territories
These leopards were mainly found in East African territory, but there are a few historical documents showing that there was an existence of such leopards in the Indian trading areas and islands. These animals became extinct due to hunting and confrontation with humans.
8. Lesser Indian Bustards
Bustard birds found in India have become extinct in various parts of India. These were large birds living in grasslands.
Significance of Retaining Information on Extinct Species
The extinct animals provide us with important learning experiences regarding the need to be responsible for our environment and conserve them. Most of these species became extinct due to the lack of protection by humans of forests, wetlands, etc.
Nowadays, many efforts in the form of wildlife conservation programs and national parks exist to protect species that are endangered from becoming extinct in the future. Artistic representations of these extinct animals through images help us retain them for future generations.
Endangered animals from India serve as examples of nature as well as the repercussions of failing to take care of our environment.
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