Black Buck

Blackbucks, the Indian antelopes, are found in abundance in the plains, grasslands and scrubs of India. The antelope is native to and found mainly in India, while it is extinct in Bangladesh. Activities like hunting, poaching, habitat destruction, overgrazing and inbreeding has led to a drastic downward fluctuation in the blackbuck population. Another reason why the blackbuck population is immensely decreasing is the large-scale conversion of their habitats into agriculture fields and poaching. Other than India, Blackbuck can be found in Nepal and Pakistan.

The blackbuck has been introduced in Argentina and the United States. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists the blackbuck as Near Threatened. In India, hunting of blackbuck is prohibited under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The blackbuck has significance in Hinduism; Indian and Nepali villagers do not harm the antelope. The scientific name of the blackbuck is Antilope cervicapra. Its generic name stems from the Latin word antalopus ("horned animal").

Places where Black Buck can be spotted:

Velavadar Blackbuck National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park, Ranthambore National Park, Corbett National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Gir National Park and Guindy National Park.