What are the endemic animals of Nepal?
Nepal is home to 3% of endemic species among its rich fauna of over 1,240 species. Major endemic species include the one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, red panda, snow leopard, and Himalayan thar.
Emblematic Endemic Species
Nepal has 3% endemic species among its over 1240 recorded animal species. This exceptional diversity is explained by the country's climatic variety, from the Terai plains to the Himalayan peaks.
- One-horned Rhinoceros : emblem of Chitwan National Park
- Royal Bengal Tiger : threatened predator of Nepalese forests
- Asian Elephant : present in southern reserves
- Snow Leopard : mythical feline of high altitudes
- Red Panda : small mammal of bamboo forests
- Himalayan Thar : wild goat of the mountains
Distribution by Ecosystem
In the Terai (southern plains) : marsh crocodiles, rhinoceroses, elephants and tigers evolve in national parks. The mountainous zones are home to bears, Himalayan foxes, wolves, antelopes, deer and wild boars. Over 850 bird species complete this biodiversity : herons, vultures, eagles, peacocks and storks.
Conservation and Threats
Despite government protection efforts, many species remain threatened by poaching, particularly tigers and rhinoceroses. National parks constitute the last refuges of this exceptional fauna.