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Bengal
Florican
Bengal Florican is said to prefer open grassland habitat with
adequate interspersion of tall grasses with short grasses. The
overall population of this elusive bird in the park is in critical
condition. The major threats include-massive habitat destruction,
low breeding success, high mortality rate at the early stage
of its life due to predation, hunting and seasonal flooding.
The Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis bengalensis, Gmelin)
was considered extinct from North Bengal. In the late part of
the 19th century, it was recorded from Malda and Nadia districts.
Stuart Baker collected the last specimen from Nadia district
1884. A single male bird was sighted along Raidak river of Buxa
in 1955. In 1986, it was sighted at Pahabad Tea Garden near
Bagdogra and again at Kunjanagar and Harindanga of Jaldapara
in 1988 and 1991 respectively |
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Assamese
Macaque
Assamese Macaque is one of the three non-human primate species
recorded from WestBengal. The hilly tracts of and foothills
of NorthBengal are the onlyresorts for this species. The species
are dorsally yellow to dark brown in color. Their hair is brushed
back with a median parting behind the eyebrows.
They are generally confined to broad leafed evergreen forests
of approximately 200-2500m of elevation. Frequent raiding of
cropfields and orchards have been reported in groups living
near the human habitaion. Major primary activities involve grooming,
resting, feeding and locomotion occupying 80% of their daily
budget.
Survival of this species is threatened due to loss of habitat
and a growing trend of man animal conflict for its proximity
to human habitation. |
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Ganges
River dolphin
The Ganges River dolphin has a long beak, a stocky body with
a rounded belly, and large flippers. Its eye lacks a lens, and
the dolphin is sometimes referred to as being blind, although
its eyes do seem to function as a direction-finding device.
The Ganges River dolphin weighs up to 90 kg (200 lb). It occurs
only in fresh water, including slowly flowing rivers as well
as relatively clear water and rapids. It eats a variety of fish
and invertebrates. Reports from the 19th century speak of 'large
schools' of Ganges River dolphins. However, in recent times
it has not been reported to be seen of late.
The Ganges River dolphin is found in the Ganges, Brahmaputra,
Karnaphuli and Meghna River systems, from the foot of the Himalayas
downstream to the upper limits of the tidal zone, in Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India and Nepal. Formerly, it was apparently quite abundant,
but there is evidence that populations have severely declined
more or less throughout its range. Its habitat is severely fragmented.
The Ganges River dolphin is threatened by: accidental killing
through entanglement in fishing gear; directed harvest, generally
for dolphin oil used as a fish attractant and for medicinal
purposes; water development projects (especially water extraction
and the construction of barrages, high dams, and embankments);
increasing levels of chemical pollution; increasing levels of
other forms of pollution, such as municipal sewage discharge
and noise from vessel traffic; and overexploitation of its prey.
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Indian
Rhinoceros
The biblical unicorn may have been a wild ox, but the great
Indian rhinoceros is similar to a unicorn: it has a single horn,
usually about 53 cm long, and it is very hard to find, being
among the rarest mammals in the world today.
The Rhino's horn is not a true horn, but consists of compressed
hair, and the animal prefers to defend itself with its canine
teeth with which it can make horrible gashes.
They are the largest land mammals after the elephant and weigh
from 1,800 to 3,600 kg. The Indian rhino has well-developed
incisor teeth and two long canine teeth in its lower jaw. It
is studded with knob-like tubercles and is unique in having
huge folds of skin at its joints and great rolls at the neck.
Together with the large, horny plates covering its body, the
beast appears to be armour plated. Threatened by continued loss
of habitat and poaching, conservation efforts are essential
to ensure this creature's survival. The rhino is found in the
beautiful forests of Jaldapara and Gorumara. |
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Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers
are well-adapted for a life on tree trunks and limbs. Woodpeckers
have stiff tail feathers which act as a brace for moving along
vertical tree trunks. Their feet are also adapted for climbing
and hanging. All woodpeckers have two toes pointing forward
and either one or two toes pointing to the side or slightly
backward. Thus, woodpeckers are able to grip a tree trunk surface
with opposable toes.
Woodpeckers have evolved chisel-like bills coupled with strong
neck and head muscles. These adaptations give them the ability
to chip away bark and wood to uncover insects for food, as well
as to create nesting cavities. The extremely long, barbed tongue
(some species are able to extend their tongue two inches beyond
the bill tip) enables the bird to spear insects hidden deep
in small holes. |
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