Wildlife in Ladakh

Over a hundred species of birds, most classified as rare or endangered, can be found in Ladakh's rugged terrain, in the Jammu and Kashmir region of northern India, as can several species of flowering plants and a dozen imported mammals. The black-necked crane, various species of duck and barred geese breed near the lakes, as do other species of bird.

Bactrian magpies, ravens, sparrows and kestrels amongst myriad other species will reward the patience of bird spotters, both avid and casual. Wildlife in Ladakh is rich. Wildlife in Ladakh it is well preserved. There are sanctuaries to preserve Wildlife in Ladakh.

The Ibex is a shy inhabitant of the region although visitors are likely to spot at least one and should also see marmots and red foxes, wolves and mouse hares, amongst other creatures. Ladakh is wildlife region of India where ‘Brong Dong’ or wild yak, a member of the ox family and the largest cold desert mammal, weighing about a ton, can be found.

Herds spend their summer at an altitude above six thousand meters, moving down to lakes, marshes and valleys for the winter.

The 'Goa' or Tibetan gazelle is easy to spot and so is the Chim, or Tibetan antelope, whose ‘Shatoosh’ fleece is so prized. Stone martens and lynxes are common to the region and there are roughly two hundred 'Nyan' or Great Tibetan wild sheep at the eastern end of Ladakh. These antelope-like creatures have horns of almost a meter and a half in length and are rarely seen below an altitude of four and a half thousand meters.

With horns almost as tall as their bodies, 'Urial' or 'Shapu' are the world's smallest sheep and estimates of a total population of five hundred have resulted from India's official surveys of Ladakh wildlife. Unfortunately hunters favor this creature as prey so it is also on the endangered list. More common is the 'Bharal' or 'blue' sheep, found grazing the mountain meadows in huge herds at over six thousand meters in summer. Wildlife in Ladakh is rich. Wildlife in Ladakh attracts tourists.

Amongst other wildlife in the ‘Land of The High Passes’ as India’s Ladakh is also called, the wild horse known as the 'Kyang' or ‘Kyamg’ is unique to the region but Ladakh’s most rare form of wildlife is the snow leopard, whose survival has been the subject of a wide range of activities, from the International Snow Leopard Symposium, of which there have been several, to the Snow Leopard Conservancy Trust of India and there was even a special vintage car rally held on 23rd February 2008 to help raise awareness of the importance of the leopards.

Another rare sight to be seen amongst the wildlife of India’s Ladakh is the precious musk deer, endangered by the value man places on the costly musk the male produces from glands situated below its abdomen and which is used in the production of some perfumes.