Endangered Species of India — Set 15

Correct Answer: C. Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque

The Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosus) is an endemic subspecies found only in the Nicobar Islands. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have high endemism with several endemic primates, reptiles, and birds. The Crab-eating Macaque or Long-tailed Macaque is the parent species, found across Southeast Asia. Island species tend to evolve in isolation and become highly specialized, making them vulnerable to habitat change and introduced predators.

Correct Answer: C. About 150

The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) has approximately 140–160 specialist groups, each dedicated to a particular taxonomic group or threat category. These volunteer groups of experts assess species for the IUCN Red List, develop conservation action plans, and advise on reintroduction programs. Key groups relevant to India include the Asian Elephant Specialist Group, Crocodile Specialist Group, and Cat Specialist Group.

Correct Answer: C. Schedule IV

The Indian Chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicus) is protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It is found in peninsular India and Sri Lanka. While not classified as globally threatened, it faces local pressure from the pet trade and habitat loss. Reptiles, amphibians, and many invertebrates in India are protected under various Schedules of the WPA, even if they are not among the most charismatic endangered species.

Correct Answer: B. New Delhi

The Global Tiger Forum (GTF) is an intergovernmental international body dedicated to the conservation of tigers, headquartered in New Delhi, India. It was founded in 1994 after the first International Symposium on Tiger Conservation. GTF facilitates cooperation among tiger range countries and advocates for tiger conservation at international forums. India, as the country with the largest tiger population, plays a leading role in GTF activities.

Correct Answer: B. Catching fish

The Gharial's long, thin snout (the longest and thinnest of all crocodilians) is perfectly adapted for catching fish, which makes up the majority of its diet. The narrow snout offers minimal water resistance when swung sideways to snap up fish. Male gharials develop a bulbous growth at the tip of the snout called a 'ghara' (pot in Hindi), which gives the species its name and is used for sound production and bubbles during courtship.

Correct Answer: B. Wild Water Buffalo

The Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. In India, wild populations are found mainly in Assam (particularly in Kaziranga and Manas National Parks) and Chhattisgarh (Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve). The total wild population globally is estimated at fewer than 4,000 individuals. Genetic dilution from hybridization with domestic buffalo is a major concern for the Wild Water Buffalo's conservation.

Correct Answer: D. Sundaland Hotspot

The Nicobar Islands are part of the Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot, which extends from the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra through Borneo and Java. The Andaman Islands fall in a transitional zone between the Indo-Burma and Sundaland hotspots. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands collectively harbor extraordinary biodiversity with high endemism due to their geographic isolation — nearly 700 endemic species of plants and animals are found there.

Correct Answer: A. Bengal Tiger

The Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is the largest terrestrial predator in India, with males weighing up to 300 kg and measuring over 3 metres in length. Tigers are apex predators in their ecosystem and play a crucial role in regulating prey populations and maintaining ecosystem health. India's success in tiger conservation through Project Tiger and the Protected Area network has helped maintain viable tiger populations across the country.

Correct Answer: B. Western Ghats

The Purple Frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis) was discovered in 2003 in Kerala and is endemic to the Western Ghats. It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This unique species spends most of its life underground and surfaces only during monsoon to breed — hence remaining undiscovered for so long. It is a 'living fossil' from the Mesozoic era and is the sole living representative of a 130-million-year-old lineage of frogs.

Correct Answer: B. Aircel Telecom and WWF-India

The 'Save Our Tigers' campaign was a high-profile wildlife conservation campaign launched jointly by Aircel Telecom and WWF-India in 2008-2009, targeting the Indian public's awareness about the decline in tiger numbers. The campaign successfully generated massive public interest and engagement through television, social media, and celebrity endorsements. It coincided with the period when India's tiger population was at a historical low, with census results showing only 1,411 tigers in 2006.