UPSC Prelims 2012 Q92: Environment & Ecology – Biodiversity & Conservation
Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered
species?
- (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
- (b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard
- (c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)
- (d) Lion - tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal
Answer: (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
Explanation
Which group is of endangered species?
Every animal in the group must be threatened.
Look for a common animal in each option to reject it.
| Option | Common animal in the group | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass | None | Correct |
| (b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard | Cheetal and Blue Bull (nilgai) | Incorrect |
| (c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane) | Rhesus Monkey | Incorrect |
| (d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal | Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur, Cheetal | Incorrect |
The animals in option (a):
| Animal | Where found | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Great Indian Bustard | Rajasthan, Gujarat | Critically Endangered |
| Musk Deer | Himalayas | Hunted for musk |
| Red Panda | Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh | Eastern Himalaya |
| Asiatic Wild Ass | Little Rann of Kutch | Called khur |
Answer: (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass are all threatened.
- (b) Incorrect. The Cheetal and the Blue Bull are common animals.
- (c) Incorrect. The Rhesus Monkey is abundant and not endangered.
- (d) Incorrect. The Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal are common.
Key point
Threatened: Great Indian Bustard (critically endangered), Musk Deer, Red Panda, Asiatic Wild Ass, Kashmir Stag, Snow Leopard, Lion-tailed Macaque. Common: Cheetal, Nilgai, Rhesus Monkey, Hanuman Langur.
Remember
Cheetal, nilgai, rhesus and langur are common; reject any group with them.
Common mistakes
- Checking only the first animal in each option.
- Not knowing that Blue Bull is the nilgai, a common farm pest.
- Thinking the Asiatic Wild Ass is common because its numbers have grown in Kutch.
Exam tip
Hunt for the common animal. One cheetal, nilgai or rhesus monkey spoils the whole group.
Sources
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 — Schedule I