Endangered Animal Species Of Nepal
Nepal is a small country that covers 0.03% of the overall area of the planet and 0.3% of the total area of Asia. Despite being a small landmass, it has been blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and biodiversity. With land contrasts, it has more than 30 species of large wild animals, 180 species of mammals, and over 800 species of birds, or 8% of the world in total. It is home to endangered and rare wildlife species of the world.
One of the greatest conservation successes in Asia has been Nepal’s endeavor to bring back its One Horned Rhino population. It is the biggest rhinoceros species, easily identified by its singular black horn. The population in Chitwan National Park is currently over 600 rhinos, brought back from the brink of extinction when the population dipped below 100 individuals due to sport and agricultural defense hunting in the 1970’s. With zero poaching over the last few years, the population is thriving. These high profile, armor plated animals are semiaquatic and prefer to live in moist or marshy areas .The Terai grasslands, known as the “rhino kingdom”, in Southern Nepal has over 90% of Nepal’s rhino population and is the best place to see them.
Red pandas are found in the western forests of Nepal and the southwestern mountain slopes of China. Weighing up to 6 kg, they can grow to about 50 – 63 cm in length. They have a signature reddish-brown, thick fur, and have a raccoon-like appearance.The thick fur coat protects against the harsh cold; the fur is sought after by poachers because of its high value. The red panda is endangered mostly due to loss of habitat caused by Deforestation. It usually lives in thick bamboo forests, which are being cleared for land, fuel, and timber
The Himalayan Musk deer measures up to 1 m and weighs about 11-18 kg. They are found in the Himalayan regions of Nepal. Both male and female musk deer have well-developed upper canine teeth which grow out in a fang-like manner.The Musk deer are high in demand because of their scent glands. The poachers poach them as the glands are considered to be more valuable than gold. The scent gland of the musk deer is used to make perfumes and oriental medicines.