Why in the News?
A roadside sighting of a Himalayan Red Fox near Pangong Tso in Ladakh went viral on social media. Wildlife authorities cautioned that human interaction with wild animals can disturb their natural behaviour and pose ecological risks.
About Himalayan Red Fox
- Subspecies of the widespread red fox
• One of the most adaptable predators of high altitude Himalayan ecosystems
Conservation Status
- Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List
Distribution
- Native to the Himalayan mountain range
• Found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet
• In India, distributed across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh
Key Facts about Pangong Tso
- High altitude endorheic lake in the Ladakh Himalayas
• One third lies in India and two thirds in China
• World’s highest saltwater lake
• Known for changing colours such as blue, green, and reddish shades
Prelims Pointers
- Himalayan Red Fox shows high ecological adaptability
• Pangong Tso is saline and landlocked
• Wildlife disturbance from tourism is an emerging conservation concern
• Least Concern species can still face localised threats
| Consider the following: (2012)
1. Black-necked crane 2. Cheetah 3. Flying squirrel 4. Snow leopard. Which of the above are naturally found in India? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
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