Consider the following fauna of India: 1) Gharial 2) Leather back turtle 3) Swamp deer [2013]

Consider the following fauna of India:

Gharial
Leather back turtle
Swamp deer

Which of the above is/are endangered?

1 and 2 only
3 only
1, 2 and 3
None

Explanation

Gharial is correct

Gharial: Conservation Status: IUCN: Critically Endangered | WPA, 1972: Schedule-I

Illustration and infographic detailing three types of crocodiles found in India: Gharials, Saltwater Crocodiles, and Mugger Crocodiles, including their scientific names, habitats, threats, and distinguishing features. It also presents IUCN conservation status with a color-coded legend and global population estimates for mature individuals of each species.

Leatherback turtle is correct

It is the largest of the living sea turtles (250-700 kg).
Distribution: Tropical and temperate seas and oceans.
Threats: Artificial lighting disorients hatchlings and causes them to migrate inland.
IUCN: VU | CITES: Appx I | CMS: Appx I | WPA: Sch I

Photograph of a leatherback sea turtle resting on sandy beach next to a world map highlighting its habitat range in brown. Map shows leatherback turtle distribution across Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, indicating key regions for conservation focus.

Swampdeer is correct

Barasingha (Swamp deer) is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Distribution: Isolated localities in north and central India and Nepal. Kanha TR (MP) is famous for it.
Habitat: Open forests, tall grasslands and mangroves.
IUCN: VU | CITES: Appx I | WPA: Sch I

Barasingha (Swamp deer) is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Isolated localities in north and central India and Nepal. Kanha TR (MP) is famous for it.

Note: Under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, all three animals fall within the “threatened” category, which comprises Vulnerable, Endangered, and Critically Endangered statuses—often loosely referred to as “endangered” in a broader sense.

Diagram illustrating Red List categories for species conservation status, divided into Extinct, Threatened, and Least Concern groups with corresponding color-coded circles. It defines each category, highlighting extinction certainty for Extinct (black/red), high to very high risk for Threatened (red, orange, yellow), and stable or insufficient data for Least Concern (blue, teal).

Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3; Difficulty Level: Hard

2013, PYQs