Critically Endangered Species of Animals

The Red List of 2012 was released at the Rio +20 Earth Summit.
It contains 132 species of plants and animals in India listed as critically endangered.
The Critically Endangered list included 18 species of amphibians, 14 fishes and 10
mammals. There are also 15 bird species in the category.
Please refer the below article of Mrunals which gives details about IUCN, CITES etc
http://mrunal.org/2012/11/enb-iucn-red-list-cites-meaning-working-mock-csat.html
This article gives you an overview of birds, amphibians and mammals which are critically
endangered.

Birds
The latest International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Birds (2013)
shows that fifteen bird species in India continue to be Critically Endangered (CR).

Migratory wetland species:
Name Details Habitat Distribution Others
Baers
Pochard

It is a diving duck
found in eastern Asia
Hunting and wetland
destruction are
thought to be the
causes of the decline
Vegetated
coastal
wetlands, or
around lakes
and ponds
surrounded by
forest

Freshwater
lakes and
reservoirs
Southeast Russia
and
Northeast China

Migrating in
winter to southern
China, Vietnam, Ja
pan, and India
In 2012 it was
further uplisted
from
Endangered
to CR.

It is legally
protected in
Russia, Mongolia
and Hong Kong
(China) and in
some provinces in
China.
Siberian
Crane
It is a large,
strikingly majestic
migratory bird that
breeds and winters in
wetlands.
Also known as
the Siberian White
Crane or the Snow
Crane.
Wetland areas Keoladeo National
Park in
Rajasthan.
The last
documented
sighting of the
bird in India was
in 2002

It is subject of the
MoU concerning
Conservation
Measures for the


Siberian
Crane concluded
under the Bonn
Convention.

Spoon-billed
Sandpiper

The most distinctive
feature of this species
is its spatulate bill
Requires highly
specialized breeding
habitat, a constraint
that has always kept
its population scarce

Coastal areas
with sparse
vegetation
West Bengal,
Orissa, Kerala and
Tamil Nadu
The main threats
to its survival are
habitat loss on its
breeding grounds
and loss of tidal
flats through its
migratory and
wintering range

It was reclassified
to CR status in
2008


Non-migratory wetland species:
Name Details Habitat Distribution Others
White-bellied
Heron


also known as
the Imperial
Heron or Great
White-bellied
Heron
It is mostly all dark
grey with white
throat and
underparts.
It is inherently rare,
and populations have
never been known to
be very high.
Rivers with
sand or gravel
bars or
inland lakes
Bhutan and
North-East
India to the
hills of
Bangladesh
and North
Myanmar
It has therefore
been uplisted from
Endangered to CE
status in the
2007 IUCN Red
List.

Grassland species:
Name Details Habitat Distribution Others
Bengal
Florican

It is a rare bustard
species that is very
well known for its
mating dance
They are normally
silent but when
disturbed utters a
metallic chik-chik-
chik call.
Grasslands
occasionally
interspersed
with
scrublands.
Native to only 3
countries in the
world -Cambodia,
India and Nepal.
In India, it occurs
in 3 states Uttar
Pradesh, Assam
and Arunachal
Pradesh.
It is known to
have become
increasingly
threatened by land
conversion for
intensive
agriculture,
particularly for
dry season rice
production +
Poaching.
Great Indian
Bustard (GIB)





One of the worlds
heaviest flying birds.
The bird population
estimate in 1980s
was around 1,500,
during 2003-04 was
500, in 2011 it is
around 250-300
birds.
It breeds mostly
during the monsoon
season.
They are omnivorous
and feed on insects,
lizards, frogs, herbs,
wild berries, oil
seeds, and legume
pods
Dry plains of
the Indian
subcontinent
It used to be in 11
states, now it is
limited to 6 Indian
states of Rajasthan,
Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra,
Gujarat,
Karnataka, and
Andhra Pradesh

Rajasthan: has the
largest stronghold
of the GIB, is the
first Indian state
to initiate a
project Great
Indian Bustard
under the
campaign
of Conservation
India.

Jerdons
Courser





It is a nocturnal bird
endemic to India.
It is a flagship
species for the
extremely threatened
scrub jungle.
Undisturbed
scrub jungle
with open
areas
Found only in
the northern
part of the state
of Andhra
Pradesh in
peninsular
India
Old records do
attribute its
presence in the
neighboring
areas of the
state of
The species was
considered to be
extinct until it
was rediscovered
in 1986 and the
area of
rediscovery was
subsequently
declared as the Sri
Lankamaleswara
Wildlife
Sanctuary

Maharashtra
Sociable
Lapwing

It is a winter migrant
to India.
This attractive
medium-sized
lapwing has longish
black legs and a short
black bill
Fallow fields
and scrub
desert.
In India,
distribution is
restricted to the
north and
north-west of
the country
In 2004 BirdLife
International
categorized this
bird as critically
endangered, due
to a very rapid
population decline
for poorly
understood
reasons

Forest species:
Name Details Habitat Distribution Others
Forest Owlet


An owl that is endemic
to the forests of
central India.
They have a relatively
large skull and beak
They appear to be
strongly diurnal
although not very active
after 10 AM
Dry
deciduous
forest.
South Madhya
Pradesh

North-west
Maharashtra

North-central
Maharashtra.
It had been lost
for more than a
century. After
113 long years it
was rediscovered
in 1997 and
reappeared on the
list of Indian
birds.



Scavengers:
The decline in vulture populations has associated disease risks, including increased risk of
spread of rabies and anthrax.
Diclofenac is given to working animals it can reduce joint pain and so keep them working for
longer
The drug is believed to be swallowed by vultures with the flesh of dead cattle which were
given diclofenac in the last days of life. Diclofenac causes kidney failure in several species of
Vultures
Name Details Habitat Distribution Others
Indian Vulture The Long-billed Vulture is
a typical vulture, with a bald
head, very broad wings and
short tail feather
They have suffered a 97%
99% population decrease
in Pakistan and India
Forests,
villages
etc.
Across India Captive-breeding
programmes for
several species of
Indian vulture have
been started. The
vultures are long
lived and slow in

The cause of this has been
identified as poisoning
caused by the veterinary
drug diclofenac.
.
breeding, so the
programmes are
expected to take
decades
Red-headed
Vulture

Also known as the Asian
King Vulture, Indian Black
Vulture or Pondicherry
Vulture
The adult has a prominent
deep red to orange naked
head and the juvenile being
of paler red.

Forests,
villages
etc.
Mainly found
in the Indian
Subcontinent

Some parts
of Southeast
Asia
The widespread
use of the
Diclofenac in India
has caused its
population to
collapse in recent
years
White-backed
Vulture

It is called African White-
backed Vulture to distinguish
it from the Oriental White-
backed Vulture
Its a typical vulture with
only down feathers on the
head and neck, very broad
wings and short tail feathers.
Forests,
villages
etc.
The savannah
of West and
East Africa

Across India
In 2013 it was
uplisted from
Endangered
to Critically
Endangered
Slender-billed
Vulture.

It is about the same size as
its sister species, the Indian
Vulture
They have suffered a huge
decline. The cause of this has
been identified as poisoning
caused by the veterinary
drug diclofenac.

Forests,
villages
etc.
Gangetic
plain north,
West to
Himachal
Pradesh,
Northern
Odisha,
Assam

Southeast Asia
It is a protected
species listed on
the appendix II list
of CITES.

Captive-breeding
programs in India
are aiming to
conserve the
species


Now considered Extinct for all practical purposes.
But still under CE category
Name Details Habitat Distribution Others
Himalayan
Quail



The red bill and legs
of this small dark
quail and white spots
before and after the
eye make it
distinctive.
It is presumed to be
extinct since no
reliable records of
sightings of this
species exist after
1876.
Tall grass and
scrub on steep
hillsides
Western
Himalayas
Indiscriminate
hunting during the
colonial period
along with habitat
modification.
Pink-headed
Duck

is (or was) a
large diving duck
Males have a deep
pink head and neck
from which the bird
derives its name.
It has not been
conclusively
recorded in India
since 1949.

Overgrown
still-water
pools,
marshes and
swamps in
lowland
forests and
tall grasslands
Recorded in India,
Bangladesh and
Myanmar.

Maximum records
are from
north-east India
Wetland
degradation and
loss of habitat,
along with
hunting are the
main causes of its
decline



*******************************End of CE birds*********************************

The species that have been uplisted (facing greater danger) in 2013 IUCN list are
Name Details Habitat Distribution Others
River
Lapwing
It has a black crest,
crown, face and central
throat and grey-white
neck sides and nape.
It feeds on
insects, worms
crustaceans and mollusks
in nearby wet grassland
It inhabits
larger rivers
and lakes
preferring
wide, slow-
moving rivers
with sand or
gravel bars
It occurs in
southern China,
much of South-
East Asia

Northern and
northeastern Indi
a, stretching
Uplisted from
Least Concern
to Near
Threatened



and farmland
It is expected to undergo
a moderately rapid
population decline over
the next three generations
owing to human
pressures on riverine
ecosystems and the
construction of dams.
and islands towards Myanma
r, to Cambodia,
Thailand and Vie
tnam.
River Tern


This is a medium-sized
tern, dark grey
upperparts, white
underparts, a forked tail
with long flexible
streamers, and long
pointed wings.
The bill is yellow and the
legs red.
Increasing human
disturbance and dam
construction projects are
expected to drive a
moderately rapid
population decline over
the next three
generations.
rivers and
freshwater
lakes, also
occurring
rarely on
estuaries, and
breeds on
sandy islands
occurs across a
wide range in
southern Asia,
being found
in Pakistan, Ind
ia, Nepal, Bhuta
n,Bangladesh,
Myanmar, Thai
land, Laos, Ca
mbodia,Vietna
m and
southern China (
Yunnan) (del
Hoyo et al.
1996), with
vagrant records
from Iran and
Afghanistan.
Uplisted from
Least Concern
to Near
Threatened

Nesting areas
are vulnerable to
flooding,
predation and
disturbance
Long-tailed
Duck


They are mid-sized birds
with long, dark tails and
gray legs and feet.
This species is fully
migratory although its
movements are poorly
understood
reside in a
variety of
habitats

Winter in the
open ocean or
large lakes
and summer
in pools or
lakes in the
tundra.
Vagrant records
in India includes
Nagaland, UP,
Haryana,
Uttarakhand,
Rajasthan and
Maharastra

They are found
breeding on the
Arctic coasts of
Canada, Alaska,
United States of
America,
Greenland,
Iceland, Norway,
and Russia. They
winter further
Uplisted from
Least Concern
to Vulnerable.

The species is
threatened by
wetland habitat
degradation and
loss from
petroleum
pollution,
wetland
drainage and
peat-extraction.
south in the
United
Kingdom, North
America, Korea
and on the Black
and Caspian
Seas.

Reptiles and amphibians
Turtles
Name Details Habitat Distribution Others
Red-crowned
roofed turtle


Also known as
Bengal Roof Turtle
At the end of the
rainy season, the
heads and necks of
male turtles develop
a brilliant courtship
coloration of red,
yellow, white, and
blue, with 6
distinctive bright red
stripes on top of the
head
The diet of turtles
consists entirely of
water plants
Deep flowing
rivers with
terrestrial nest
sites.
Found in India,
Bangladesh and
Nepal.

In India it resides
basically in
the watershed of
the Ganga
CP:
1. Since 2004, it
has reproduced in
captivity at
the Madras
Crocodile Bank
Trust.

2. Since 2006, the
Chambal River
Sanctuary
Program has
implemented
projects to protect
wild nests, collect
and hatch wild
eggs
Hawksbill sea
turtle


The species is
migratory in nature
and nesting occurs in
about 70 countries
across the world.
Nesting
occurs on
insular,
sandy
beaches.
In India they are
found in the
Andaman and
Nicobar Islands,
the coast of Tamil
Nadu and Orissa.
The CITES
outlaws the
capture and trade
of hawksbill sea
turtles and
products derived
from them

Also included in
the Convention
on Migratory
Species
River
terrapin

Also known as four-
toed river terrapin
The omnivorous diet
Freshwater
rivers and
lakes.
Bangladesh,
Cambodia, India
(West Bengal and
Illegally exported
from Indonesia
and traded in

of the river terrapin
and other terrapin
species makes them
an essential part of
the efficient clean-up
systems of aquatic
habitats.
Orissa), Indonesia
and Malaysia.

substantial
numbers in China
despite a CITES I
listing


Crocodile

Name Details Habitat Distribution Others
Gharial


It is also called
gavial and fish-eating
crocodile
It is one of the
longest of all living
crocodilians
It is characterized by
its extremely long,
thin jaws
Clean rivers
with sand
banks
Only viable
population
in the National
Chambal
Sanctuary, spread
across three states
of Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan and
Madhya Pradesh in
India
.Now extinct in
Myanmar,
Pakistan, Bhutan
and Bangladesh.

Conservation
programs have
been undertaken
in India and
Nepal, based on
the establishment
of protected areas
and restocking
these with animals
born in captivity


Frogs
Name Details Habitat Distribution Others
Ghats wart
frog

Also known as
Murthys frog.
It is a montane
species found at
elevations of around
2,200m asl
This species is
known only from the
Tropical
moist forest
and is
terrestrial in
nature
Native:
India
( Western
Ghats in Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka
)
The species
appears to have
been recorded
from the Nilgiri
Biosphere
Reserve, and it
is protected by
national
legislation
type series, and
further taxonomic
studies are required.
Indirana
gundia


It has thick brown
strip that extends
from nose passing
through eyes
It is found at an
elevation of around
200 m above mean
sea level
Breeding takes place
on wet rocks, and the
larvae are found on
wet rock surfaces
next to streams
Moist tropical
forest
Known only to exist
in Gundia,
Kempholey in the
Western Ghats
region of Karnataka.
It is not known
to be present in
any protected
areas
The Kerala
Indian Frog


Due to the presence
of prominent warts
and tubercles of
various sizes and
glandular folds on its
dorsal surface, it is
commonly also
known as the toad-
skinned frog.
It is found at
elevations of around
500 m above mean
sea level

A terrestrial
species
associated
with leaf-litter
in tropical
moist forest
Anamalai Hills of
the Western Ghats
The species is
present in Indira
Ghandi National
Park and
protected by
national
legislation.
Charles
Darwin's frog


It is found at
elevations below 500
m above mean sea
level.
Arboreal
species of
tropical moist
forest
This species is
currently restricted
to its type locality of
Mount Harriet in
South Andaman
Island and Saddle
Peak in the North
Andaman Island,
India.
It has been
recorded from
Mount Harriet
National Park
and Saddle Peak
National Park,
and is protected
by national
legislation in
India.
Rao's torrent
frog

The altitude of the
type locality is not
known, but it was
most recently
collected at an
Wet forests


This species is
known only from the
type locality
"Kottigehar, Kadur",
and from a recently
It is not known
whether or not
this species
occurs in any
protected areas.

altitude of
approximately
1,000m asl
It was recently
collected close to a
road and a stream.
Like other members
of the genus, it
probably has aquatic
larvae in streams.
discovered
population at
Bhadrea, in
Chicamangalore
District, Karnataka,
in the Western Ghats
of India.
Amboli bush
frog

It was recently
discovered in 2009 in
Amboli forest in the
Western Ghats of
Maharashtra.
It is found at
elevations ranging
from 550 m to 940 m
above mean sea
level.
It was
collected in
extremely
disturbed
areas close to
evergreen
forest
patches,
although it is
not known
whether or not
it occurs in
primary
evergreen
forest.
Known only from a
few localities in the
vicinity of the
Amboli forest in
Sawantwadi District,
Maharashtra, in the
northern Western
Ghats of India
It is not known
to occur in any
protected areas,
making habitat
protection an
urgent priority.
The
Chalazodes
Bubble-Nest
Frog

It is a nocturnal,
arboreal species.
Also known as
White-spotted bush
frog.
Tropical
moist
evergreen
forest
All recorded
specimens have
been from the
Western Ghats, India
It was described
in 1876 based
on a single
femalespecime,
from
Travancore,
south India.
There was no
authentic report
of this species
since 1876 until
its rediscovery
in Febuary
2011.
Griet bush
frog

It is a small frog of
snout to vent length
ranging from 2-2.2
cm only.

This species has
been recorded from
It is an
arboreal
species, found
commonly in
montane
forest, and in
secondary
This species appears
to be restricted to
one locality:
Munnar, in the
southern Western
Ghats of India
It is not known
from any
protected areas,
and habitat
protection is
urgently
required.
1,500m asl. growth close
to shoal
forest, but can
also be found
in tea
plantations
Munnar bush
frog


It was discovered in
2009 from Munnar in
Idukki district of
Kerala.

It is found at an
elevation of about
1,400
It is known
only from a
small area
(less than
20km) of
secondary
vegetation,
adjoining the
forest along
the Ghat road.
Specimens
were found
close to a tea
plantation, but
not inside the
plantation
Currently known
only to occur in two
locations, Devikulam
and Munnar, Idukki
district, Kerala,
south India.
This threat is
very serious as
there are no
other known
areas in the
surrounding
region that
could be
considered as
suitable habitat
for the species.
Ponmudi bush
frog


It is the largest bush
frog of India with a
snout to vent length
upto 4 cm.

Evergreen
forest
surrounded by
grassland.
This species is
known only from the
type locality at 1,000
m asl on Ponmudi
Hill, part of the
Agasthyamala Hill
range (=Ashambu
Hills) in the Western
Ghats of India. It
might possibly occur
more widely in
Wynaad District.
It might be
present in
Shenduruny
Sanctuary and
Wynaad
Wildlife
Sanctuary.
Strengthening
the existing
protected areas
network and
maintenance of
remaining
habitat in the
range of the
species are
recommended
conservation
actions.
Sacred Grove
bush frog
It is endemic
to India.

Associated
with old
growth,
tropical,
moist, semi-
Known only to occur
in Kapildhara Falls,
Amarkantak,
Jabalpur District,
Madhya Pradesh
Improved
protection and
maintenance of
the habitat is
needed

evergreen and
mesic forest,
and does not
occur outside
forest
Shillong
bubble-nest
frog


It is endemic
to India.

It has been recorded
from elevations
below 1,400m asl.
Tropical
moist forest

This species is
restricted to a small
area of forest, in and
around Shilong,
Meghalaya, in north-
eastern India.
It is not known
whether or not
this species
occurs in any
protected areas,
but habitat
protection and
maintenance are
urgent priorities
for this species,
and additional
survey work is
necessary to
assess its current
population
status.
Anaimalai
flying frog


It is confined to
rainforests of south-
western Ghats
It lives at elevations
greater than 1,000 m
above mean sea
level.
tropical moist
montane
forests and
intermittent
freshwater
marshes

It is found in
Andiparai Shola,
Pudothottam and the
Anamalai
Hills of Tamil Nada
and Kerala
While known to
be present in the
Indira Gandhi
National Park in
Tamil Nadu,
further habitat
protection is
needed




********************End of CE REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS****************




Mammals

Name Details Habitat Distribution Others
Namdapha
flying squirrel

It is an arboreal,
nocturnal flying
squirrel endemic to
India
Tropical
forest
Found only in
Namdapha Tiger
Reserve in
Arunachal Pradesh
The species is not
protected by any
legislation.
Andaman
shrew

This species is a
nocturnal animal,
endemic to India
Lives in
tropical moist
deciduous and
evergreen
forests, where
it inhabits leaf
litter and rock
crevices
South
Andaman Islands
This species has
been recorded
from Mount
Harriet National
Park
Jenkins'
shrew


It is endemic to
India.

It is a nocturnal /
crepuscular and semi
fossorial animal

Tropical
moist
deciduous
forest.
Found on Wright
Myo and Mount
Harriet
in the South
Andaman Island
This shrew has
been recorded
from Mount
Harriet National
Park. There is a
need to maintain
areas of suitable
forest habitat for
this species
Nicobar
shrew


Also known as
Nicobar White-
tailed Shrew

It is a nocturnal and
semi fossorial
species

Lives among
leaf litter in
tropical moist
deciduous
forest
This species is
known only from
the southern tip of
Greater Nicobar
Island (India) in
the Bay of Bengal.
It has been
recorded from
Campbell Bay
National Park
(possibly now
extinct here) and
Galathea National
Park in Great
Nicobar Islands.
Elvira rat Also known as Large
Rock Rat.
It is a medium sized,
nocturnal and
burrowing rodent
that is endemic to
Tropical dry
deciduous
shrub land
forest, seen in
rocky areas
Known only from
Eastern Ghats of
Tamil Nadu.
It is listed in the
Schedule V
(considered as
vermin) of the
Indian Wildlife
(Protection) Act,

India.
It is recorded from an
elevation of about
600 m above mean
sea level.
1972
Kondana soft-
furred rat

It is a nocturnal
burrowing rodent
that is found only in
India.
It is reported from an
elevation of about
1,270 m above mean
sea level.
Tropical and
subtropical
dry deciduous
forests and
tropical scrub.
Known only from
the small
Sinhagarh Plateau
(about one km),
near Pune in
Maharashtra.


It is listed in the
Schedule V
(considered as
vermin) of the
Indian Wildlife
(Protection) Act,
1972
Pygmy hog


It is the worlds
smallest wild pig,
with adults weighing
only 8 kgs.
They live for about
eight years,
becoming sexually
mature at one to two
years old
Relatively
undisturbed,
tall terai
grasslands
Restricted to only
a single remnant
population in
Manas Wildlife
Sanctuary and its
buffer reserves.

Formerly, the
species was more
widely distributed
along the southern
Himalayan
foothills

Conservation
program is
conducted under
the aegis of a
formal
International
Agreement, that
was originally
signed at New
Delhi in 1995 and
later renewed as a
MOU in 2001,
between IUCN
SSC Pigs
Peccaries and
Hippos Specialist
Group, Durrell
Wildlife
Conservation
Trust (DWCT),
the Forest
Department,
Government of
Assam, and the
MOEF, GOI
Sumatran
rhinoceros

It is the smallest and
most endangered of
the five rhinoceros
species
Rainforests,
swamps,
and cloud
forests
Sumatra, Borneo,
and the Malay
Peninsula.
It is now thought
to be regionally
extinct in India,
though it once
occurred in the

foothills of the
Himalayas and
north-east India
Javan
rhinoceros


Also known as lesser
one-horned
rhinoceros
The Javan rhino is
smaller than Indian
rhinoceros, and is
close in size to
the black rhinoceros
Like Indian rhino,
the Javan rhinoceros
has a single horn
Lowland
tropical
rainforest
areas
Native:
Indonesia; Viet
Nam
Regionally
extinct:
Bangladesh;
Cambodia; China;
India; Lao People's
Democratic
Republic;
Malaysia
(Peninsular
Malaysia);
Myanmar;
Thailand

It is legally
protected in all
range states. The
species has been
on CITES
Appendix I since
1975.

A Rhino
Protection Unit
(RPU) has been
established for the
protection of this
species on Java
(Sectionov and
Waladi pers.
comm.). It occurs
in two protected
areas: Ujung
Kulon National
Park on Java and
the Cat Loc part
(Dong Nai
province) of the
Cat Tien National
Park in Viet Nam.
Malabar
large-spotted
civet


It also known as
the Malabar civet,
endemic to
the Western
Ghats of India.

The species is
nocturnal and
probably elusive.
Wooded
plains and hill
slopes of
evergreen
rainforests
Western Ghats Conservation
Action: It is listed
in Schedule I, part
I of the Indian
Wildlife
(Protection) Act,
1972 and on
CITES Appendix
III (India).
Though Kashmir stag and Himalayan wolf have been mentioned as CE in Wiki, the
iucnredlist.org has no mention of the same.

**************************End of CE MAMALS*******************************


References:
http://www.iucnredlist.org
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/15-bird-species-in-india-in-critically-endangered-
list/article5393581.ece
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/372160-iucn-lists-great-indian-bustard-as-critically-
endangered/c
http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/critically_endangered_booklet.pdf
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species
http://www.zooreach.org/ZOO_WILD_Projects/indian%20aze%202012-13%20activities.pdf

Name: Divya.V. Prabhu