Ancient Animals
India has a long history of biodiversity, with numerous animal species having inhabited its territories for millennia. Unfortunately, some of these extinct prehistoric animals have vanished from the planet as a result of several circumstances, such as climate change, habitat loss, and human hunting.
- The Indus Valley elephant, also known as the Asian straight-tusked elephant, is one of the most well-known extinct species from India. During the ancient era, this elephant species—one of the biggest terrestrial animals to have ever lived—was widespread in India. Unfortunately, the Indus Valley elephant became extinct some 4,000 years ago as a result of hunting and habitat loss.
- The Indian aurochs, a sizable kind of wild cattle that was previously present all over the nation, is another extinct animal from India. Early humans valued the Indian aurochs, which they hunted for food and utilised for tools and clothing as well as for its bones and hides. But by the turn of the 20th century, the Indian aurochs had become extinct due to hunting.
- Another animal that is extinct in India is the cheetah. This big, swift cat formerly roamed the entire nation, but by the 20th century it had been hunted to extinction. With the help of animals from other areas of the world, efforts are currently being done to bring the cheetah back to India.