Pakistan's diverse ecosystems, from alpine meadows to coastal mangroves, support an extraordinary range of wildlife species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
Capra falconeri
Pakistan's national animal, the Markhor is a magnificent wild goat with distinctive corkscrew-shaped horns that can grow up to 160 cm long. Found in the mountains of Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan, and parts of Balochistan, the Markhor is a remarkably agile climber, scaling nearly vertical cliff faces with ease. Conservation efforts, particularly community-based trophy hunting programs in Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, have been remarkably successful, increasing the population from around 2,500 in the 1990s to over 5,700 today, leading to its downlisting from Endangered to Near Threatened by the IUCN.
Near ThreatenedPanthera uncia
The elusive "Ghost of the Mountains," the Snow Leopard inhabits the high-altitude regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and the northern areas at elevations between 3,000 and 5,500 meters. Pakistan is estimated to have 300-420 snow leopards, making it one of the most important range countries for this vulnerable species. These magnificent cats are perfectly adapted to cold, mountainous terrain with their thick fur, wide paws that act as snowshoes, and long tails used for balance. Conservation programs involving local communities in Baltistan and Khunjerab National Park have been critical in protecting this iconic species.
VulnerableUrsus arctos isabellinus
The Himalayan Brown Bear is found in Deosai National Park, which was established specifically to protect this critically endangered subspecies. In the early 1990s, the Deosai population had declined to just 19 individuals due to hunting and habitat loss. Thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, the population has recovered to over 70 bears today, making Deosai one of the most successful bear conservation stories in Asia. These bears emerge from hibernation in spring and spend the summer months on the high plateau feeding on marmots, plants, and insects.
Critically EndangeredAlectoris chukar
Pakistan's national bird, the Chukar Partridge is a beautiful game bird found across the country's mountainous regions. With its distinctive red beak and legs, black-banded flanks, and buff plumage, the Chukar is a striking sight against rocky mountain terrain. In Urdu poetry, the Chakor is celebrated as a symbol of undying love, perpetually gazing at the moon. The bird is an important part of the ecosystem, feeding on seeds, insects, and green plants while serving as prey for raptors and other predators.
Least ConcernPlatanista gangetica minor
The Indus River Dolphin (Bhulan) is one of the world's rarest mammals and is found exclusively in the Indus River system in Sindh province. This freshwater dolphin is functionally blind, navigating through echolocation in the muddy river waters. The current population is estimated at approximately 1,800-2,000 individuals, concentrated in a 1,200-kilometer stretch of the Indus between Sukkur and Guddu Barrages. The Sindh Wildlife Department operates the Indus Dolphin Reserve, and conservation programs have helped stabilize the population after decades of decline.
EndangeredCrocodylus palustris
The Mugger or Marsh Crocodile inhabits the wetlands and rivers of Sindh and southern Punjab. The most notable population lives in the Manghopir shrine in Karachi, where crocodiles have been kept and venerated for centuries in the sacred ponds of the Sufi shrine. In the wild, Mugger crocodiles can grow up to 5 meters in length and are found in the Indus Delta, Haleji Lake, and other wetland areas. The Chotiari Reservoir in Sindh also supports a significant population. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and managing human-wildlife conflict.
VulnerableOvis ammon polii
The Marco Polo Sheep, named after the famous Venetian explorer who first described them in 1271, is found in the remote Khunjerab National Park and the Pamir region of northern Pakistan at elevations above 4,000 meters. These magnificent wild sheep are known for their enormous spiraling horns, which can span up to 140 cm in length. The Pakistan population represents the southernmost range of the species. Khunjerab National Park, which straddles the Pakistan-China border at the Karakoram Highway crossing, was established in part to protect this species along with other high-altitude wildlife.
Near ThreatenedChelonia mydas
Pakistan's coastline, particularly Sandspit and Hawks Bay beaches near Karachi, serves as one of the most important nesting sites for Green Sea Turtles in the northern Indian Ocean. Every year, between September and January, thousands of female turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on these beaches. The Sindh Wildlife Department and WWF-Pakistan operate turtle conservation programs, protecting nesting sites and hatcheries that release tens of thousands of hatchlings into the sea annually. Astola Island in Balochistan also serves as a nesting ground for both Green and Hawksbill turtles.
EndangeredOvis vignei punjabiensis
The Punjab Urial is a wild sheep subspecies endemic to the Salt Range and adjacent hills of Punjab, Pakistan. It is one of the most endangered mammals in South Asia, with a population of fewer than 1,500 individuals. The males sport impressive curved horns and a distinctive ruff of long hair on the chest. The species faces threats from habitat loss, poaching, and competition with domestic livestock. Conservation efforts by the Punjab Wildlife Department, including the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries in the Salt Range and community-based conservation programs, are working to protect this unique subspecies.
EndangeredThe second-highest plateau in the world at 4,114 meters average elevation, Deosai covers 3,000 km² of alpine grasslands in Gilgit-Baltistan. Home to the Himalayan brown bear, golden marmots, ibex, red foxes, and over 120 bird species. In summer, the plateau transforms into a carpet of wildflowers, creating one of the most spectacular natural displays in the world. Sheosar Lake sits at 4,142 meters within the park.
Located at the Pakistan-China border along the Karakoram Highway, Khunjerab is one of the highest-altitude national parks in the world (4,693m at Khunjerab Pass). The park protects Marco Polo sheep, snow leopards, ibex, brown bears, blue sheep, and golden eagles. Visitors traveling the Karakoram Highway pass through the park, often spotting ibex and marmots along the road.
Pakistan's largest national park at 6,100 km², Hingol spans the Makran coast of Balochistan. It features dramatic landscapes including the "Princess of Hope" rock formation, active mud volcanoes, the Hingol River gorge, and pristine beaches. Wildlife includes the Sindh ibex, chinkara gazelle, honey badger, Indian pangolin, marsh crocodile, and various marine species including dolphins and sea turtles along the coast.
Located on the northern edge of Islamabad, Margalla Hills covers 17,386 hectares of forested hills and is one of the most accessible national parks in Pakistan. The park features numerous hiking trails (Trail 5 being the most popular), diverse wildlife including leopards, barking deer, grey goral, pangolins, and over 600 species of plants. It provides a green lung for the capital city and is a popular destination for hiking, bird watching, and nature photography.
This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Balochistan contains one of the largest juniper forests in the world, covering approximately 110,000 hectares. Some of the juniper trees (Juniperus excelsa) are estimated to be over 5,000 years old, making them among the oldest living organisms on Earth. The forest provides habitat for the Balochistan black bear, wolves, jackals, and numerous bird species. The forest's fragile ecosystem faces threats from climate change and human encroachment.
The Indus River Delta in southern Sindh hosts one of the world's largest mangrove forests, covering approximately 600,000 hectares. These mangroves serve as vital breeding grounds for fish, shrimp, and crabs, and provide habitat for the Indus River dolphin, various species of turtles, and migratory birds. The delta is also home to the unique ecosystem of Keti Bunder, where fresh and salt water mix to create rich biodiversity. Conservation of this ecosystem is critical for the fishing communities that depend on it.