Animals and Wildlife in India

Animal life in India is as varied as the shape of the land. The mountains of the north are home to yaks and wild ibex. Tigers roam the foothills of the Himalayas and the swamps near Ganges delta.

Elephants also live in the foothills, where for centuries they have been captured and trained to work for local rulers and landowners.

Monkeys, snakes, leopards, wolves, wild hogs, and even lions are still found on the plains and the tropical rain forests. Domesticated animals include water buffalo, cows, sheep, goats, and chickens.

Many of the animals that once lived in the plains, valleys and jungles of India are endangered. Some, like lion and elephant, were victims of hunters; others were killed by farmers protecting their animals and crops.

The Indian government has set up special places called nature preserves. There the animals can live freely, safe from human beings.