India. Nominate race restricted to Manipur’s Keibul Lamjao swamp. 1980 population was 30 animals. Two more races, both endangered, of this deer survive in Kampuchea and Burma. The Indian race require close attention. A project to introduce this deer in Pabitma wildlife sanctuary in Assam is underway These deer have bred quite well in zoos (93 animal in 13 zoos) and there are plans to introduce these captive-bred animals into the wild.
CHINESE DOLPHIN OR BAIJI (LIPOTES VEXILLIFER).
China. Critically endangered. Proposed data projects on the Yangtzewould prove disastrous. Total population estimated to be barely 100.
DUGONG (DUGONG DUGON).
Coast of East Africa and ountries along the Indian Ocean to Northern Australia. The population in the Gulf seems m have been considerably affected by the recent war, one of the species’ strongholds being the small bay between the coasts of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Over much of its former range, the dugong is still present, in shallow coastal waters but numbers are small and populations everywhere are declining. Hunting pressure is also intense. Secure where marine parks and protected reserves have been set up.
FISHING CUT (FELIS VIVERRINA).
India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, parts of SE Asia. This is one of the most interesting members of the cat family, in that it depends greatly upon wetlands — grassy swamps, reed beds, tidal creeks, canals and riversides. Not much is known about its status. Vulnerable.
GANGES RIVER DOLPHIN (PLATAMSTA GANGETICA).
India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Though stiliquitecommon on the great rivers of these countries, populations of this mammal have been greatly fragmented by the construction of dams and barrages across most rivers. The many more dam and barrage projects under consideration threaten the survival of major populations of this species
GREAT INDIAN RHINOCEROS (RHINOCEROS UNICORNS)
India. Floodplain wetlands and swampy grassland n the term, along the base of the Himalaya. The species has disappeared over much of its former range and today survives only in Maras and Kazininga. in Assam. Re-introduced in Dudhwa. in the Uttar Pradesh terai. Most of the current habitat faces serious pressure from political and social problems. Total population in about nine protected reserves over its range estimated to be just over 1600 animals.
HAIRY-NOSED OTTER
Surnattai, Sarawak and probably Borneo. Status uncertain. But vast stretches of wetlands still surviving in Barriers and Sumatra suggest that this met may act be in the red.
HISPILD HARE (CAPROLAGUSHISPIDUS).
India. Swampy grasslands amidst floodplains at the base of the Himalaya. Much habitat destroyed, fragmented. Status outside the protected areas unknown.
INDUS RIVER DOLPHIN (PLATANISTA MINOR) INDI.
Pakistan. Seriously threatened because of dam projects on the Indus. Total population believed to be less than 1000. Conservation efforts for this species need to be urgently enhanced.
LRRAWADDY DOLPBIN (OREAELLABREVIROSTRIS).
Through Bay of Bengal to Borneo. Presently appears to be the least threatened of the four dolphins in the Asian region.
ORIENTAL SMALL-CLAWED OTTER (AONYX EINEREA).
India —Himalayan foothills from central Himachal Pradesh east to lower Assam and Bengal. Also the higher elevations in the southern parts of the Western Ghats. Burma, southern China and parts of Malaya. Hill streams, rivers, lake., and flooded paddy areas. Persecuted because it is reportedly injurious to fish preserves and hatcheries. Considered to be the rarest otter in the Indian region. Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Exact status not well. Needs in be surveyed.
PROBOSCIS MONKEY (NAEOLIS LARVATUS).
Borneo. Forested wetlands. Of the 23 sites in which the species is known to occur, 14 are under threat. Requires close attention.
SMOOTH-COATED OTTER (LUTRO PERSPICILLATA).
India, Burma, Malaya, parts of Indo-China. Thropughout India south of the Himalaya, including Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Populations have declined considerably outside protected areas. Good numbers still survive in Periyar and Nagarhole. Exact status not well known. One estimate gives the population of this species in the Bangladesh Sunderbans as 20,000 animals. Listed in Schedule 11 of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Even the common otter Laura lutra) is placed in the Schedule IL Ali otters are covered under Part A of Schedule I of the Export (Trade) Control Order (1988).
SWAMP DEER (CERVUS DWVRUCEH).
India. Swampy grassland and floodplain wetlands. Habitat considerably fragmented and populations small. Manna, Kaziranga, Dudhwa are some of the stronghold though in parts of Assam suitable habitat still exists outside protected areas. But human pressures are intense and the species is secure only in the protecte areas. An isolated population in Central India. Turn world population of this race of the swamp deer estimated to be under 4000 animals.
WILD ASIATIC WATER BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS ARNEEK
India, Bhutan, Kampuchea. The grass jungles of the terai. Threatened due
to presence of, and contarnmation by domestic water buffaloes. Pure wild strains
survive only in small isolated pockets in the above-mentioned countries. The
presence of domestic animals could be disastrous for the wild buffalo.