National Animals of the SAARC Countries

In an earlier post, we told you about the National Flowers of the SAARC countries. SAARC is the abbreviation of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. This Association comprising of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives was founded in 1963 with an aim of the improvement of the socio economics along with education and technologies in this region. SAARC has also defined the other places of functioning in its charter that contain agriculture and rural, biotechnology, culture, power, atmosphere, economy and trade, finance, funding mechanism, human resource improvement, poverty alleviation, folks to individuals get in touch with, safety aspects, social development, science and technologies, communications, and tourism.

Like several other nations of the globe, the SAARC nations have also classified their national animals. The motive behind this is to produce the awareness for the protection of the rare and endemic animal species in their respective places. The National Animals of the SAARC nations are as below

1- Markhor : The National Animal of Pakistan

Markhor: The National Animal of Pakistan ( Image :Mike McBride )

Markhor , the national animal of Pakistan, a big specie of wild goat is an indigenous mammal of Afghanistan , Pakistan ( Gilgit Baltistan , Hunza Nagar Valleys and Kashmir regions ) , some components of North India , Southern Tajikistan and Southern Uzbekistan. The Markhor is biologically recognized as Capra falconeri a noun which actually means “large Himalayan goat with large spiraled horns”.

2- Bengal Tiger : The National Animal of India and Bangladesh

The Royal Bengal Ttiger is the national animal of India & Bangladesh ( Image Siddhartha Lammata )

Bengal Tiger, the beautiful massive cat of South Asia is scientifically known as Panthera tigris tigris and it is famous for its exclusive light orange coat and dark brown stripes. Though it not the biggest large cat of the globe, yet it is a massive animal which may well weigh up to 600 pounds. Bengal Tiger has a very sophisticated body structure with the legs that are slender. Bengal Tiger is also identified as the ” Royal Bengal Tiger ” and it is the national animal of both India and Bangladesh.

three- COW: The National Animal of Nepal

The domesticated Cow is the national animal of Nepal ( Image : Philippe Tarbouriech )

Cow is the national animal of Nepal. This domesticated ungulate which is raised as livestock for meat and milk has so much significance in India and Nepal. Most of the Hindus living in Nepal think the Cow as the goddess of wealth (Goddess Laxmi). They worship the Cow and the killing of Cow is strongly prohibited in Nepal.  The Cow belongs to the class Mammalia and the family members Bovidae scientifically.

4- Takin : The National Animal of Bhutan

Takin is the National animal Bhutan ( Image : Juan Carlos Madrigal )

Takin is a massive goat like antelope which is the national animal of Bhutan. Takins are found from forested valleys to rocky, grass covered alpine zones, at altitudes of in between 1,000 and four,500 metres above sea level. The coat of Takin consists of thick golden wool and that’s why they are also deemed the relatives of sheep. Takin has also tiny horns which run parallel to the skull. The scientific name of Takin is Budorcas taxicolor. 

five- Snow Leopard: National Animal of Afghanistan

Snow Leopard: The national animal of Afghanistan (By Alejandro Pérez)

Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia) is one particular of the rarest specie of massive cats current in the world. It is identified amongst three,000 and 5,500 meters  above sea level in the higher and snowy mountain ranges of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia,Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Snow Leopard is the national animal of Afghanistan.

* The other two countries from SAARC , Sri Lanka and Maldives have not officially declared any national animal ( Mammal ).