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UPSC Prelims 2012 · Environment · Species Watch
Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?
- (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
- (b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard
- (c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)
- (d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
Great Indian bustard, musk deer, red panda and Asiatic wild ass were all endangered.
The idea
Do not check all four animals in every option. Look for one common animal. Chital, nilgai, rhesus monkey and Hanuman langur are seen everywhere and are not endangered. Any group that has one of them is out.
(b) has chital and blue bull → out → (c) has rhesus monkey → out → (d) has blue bull, langur and chital → out → (a) remains
Why the others are wrong
(b) Cheetal and nilgai (blue bull) are common.
(c) The rhesus monkey is common (Least Concern).
(d) Nilgai, Hanuman langur and cheetal are common.
The trap
Spot the common animal (cheetal, nilgai, rhesus, langur) in each wrong option — one is enough to reject it.
Also know
Great Indian bustard: Critically Endangered. Musk deer and red panda: Endangered. Kashmir stag (hangul): Critically Endangered, mainly in Dachigam. Sarus crane: the tallest flying bird, State bird of Uttar Pradesh.
🔒 GIB (CR, Rajasthan), red panda (Sikkim state animal), wild ass (Little Rann of Kutch).