Some of the finest bird, reptile, and mammal species of the world make
their home in Pakistan. Magnificent, colorful, and unique, these animals
will make you wonder what else there is in this country that you are
missing. Most of these animals are endangered; it is up to you to take a
stand and protect what’s yours.
1. INDUS RIVER DOLPHIN
The Indus River Dolphin is found in the Lower Indus Basin. These
friendly creatures are often seen jumping around boats and putting on
performances for anyone that wants to watch. Although endangered, over a
1,000 of these marine mammals still remain in Pakistan.
2. WOOLLY FLYING SQUIRREL
The Woolly Flying Squirrel is a nocturnal rodent native to the Gilgit
region of Pakistan. This unique creature looks like a bat but is
actually a squirrel. 1.5 to 2 feet in height, the flying squirrel is one
of the largest squirrels in the world. Loss of natural habitat has seen
them labeled as Critically Endangered Species.
3.Moon Bear
Kipling describes the Moon Bear as, “The most bizarre of the ursine
species.” The bear makes its home in the Himalayas. Known as the Asian
Black Bear, the crescent shaped, white patch on the chest has led to it
being called the Moon Bear. Although herbivore by nature, it can be
quite aggressive when defending its territory.
4. SNOW LEAPORD
Native to the mountainous regions of Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkwa, this
ferocious animal is the National Heritage Animal of Pakistan. Although
smaller than the other “big cats”, the Snow Leopard weighs a respectable
30-70 kg. It is listed on IUCN’s (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) List of Endangered Species.
5. WHITE HEADED DUCK
This colorful duck can be found in open bodies of water across Pakistan.
The adult male with its white head and blue bill is a sight to behold,
one of the many miracles of nature. The females have a brown bill to go
with the white head and brown body. The White Headed Duck has also
recently become endangered due to a large decline in population.
6. MUGGER CROCODILE
Found in lakes and marshes around Karachi, the Mugger Crocodile is one
of the largest, most ferocious creatures found in Pakistan. Once easily
observable basking in the sunlight during summer months in places like
Manghopir, the Mugger Croc has been hunted and killed for its hide and
is now on the List of Endangered Species.
7. FISHING CAT
Cats are afraid of water, or so you thought. This incredible species of
wildcat makes its home in Pakistan. Once, a common sight in wetlands,
the population has dwindled due to the destruction of the cat’s natural
habitat. As the name suggests, the Fishing Cat hunts fish. Not only that
but it can also swim large distances upto 15-20 km, making it an
astounding creature that needs to be marveled.
8. SIBERIAN IBEX
The Siberian Ibex live above the tree line in Northern Pakistan. These
heavily built goats boast large horns that grow upto 45 inches in height
and a tan hide that keeps them warm in the cold climate.
9. SOFT SHELLED TURTLE
The Soft Shelled Turtle or Trionychidae is one of the rarest types of
turtle to have been found on Pakistan soil. This amazing reptile with
its elongated snorkel-like nostrils and leathery shell is quite unique
and easily distinguishable from other turtles.
10. Blue Whale
The magnificent Blue Whale is one of the largest animals to have ever
existed. It populates the Arabian Sea, growing upto sizes of 33 meters
in length. If you are on a ship cruise and are really lucky, you might
see the Whale passing you by as a huge shadow under the sea.
11. MARKHOR
This majestic animal is the largest member of the goat family and is the
National Animal of Pakistan. Beautiful horns and hide have made it one
of the most popular game animals in the Country. It is currently
classified as endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) as only 2,500 Marakhor adults
remain.
12. RED FOX
The Red Fox remains a favorite amongst all animal lovers across the
world. A striking red coat and the trademark fox features make it an
admirable sight. The little carnivores travel in small families and can
be real troublesome for farmers, hunting down chicken and other farm
animals.
13. HIMALAYAN MONAL PHEASANT
The national bird of Nepal, the Himalayan Monal Pheasant is also found
in the Himalayan regions of Pakistan. The multicolored plumage of the
male is one of the most striking fusions of colors that you will ever
see; a dash of Blue, Purple, Green, Orange, Yellow and much more. There
aren’t enough colors on an artist’s palette to reproduce such a
masterpiece.
14. MARCO POLO SHEEP
The spiraling horns of the Marco Polo Sheep make it stand out from the
rest! Their horns measure upto 1.9 meters making them the longest horns
of all sheep in the world.
15. SIBERIAN CRANE
The Siberian Crane is a common migratory bird of the South Asian region.
The snow white body, long legs and beak make it one of the most
attractive birds that are found here. Unfortunately a loss of natural
habitat and pollution has seen the numbers decline, but flocks can still
be observed making their way into the country during the winter season.