10 Lesser-Known Wildlife Species And Where To See Them

OT Staff

Saiga Antelope – Kazakhstan, Mongolia

With their distinctive bulbous noses, Saiga antelopes are critically endangered steppe dwellers. Travellers can spot them in Kazakhstan’s Altyn Dala Reserve during spring migrations and calving season.

A shot of a Saiga Antelope | Wikimedia Commons

Aye-Aye – Madagascar

This nocturnal lemur has large eyes and a long, skeletal middle finger used to extract insects from wood. Rarely seen, it lives deep within Madagascar’s eastern rainforests.

An image of an Aye-Aye at night | Wikimedia Commons

Markhor – Pakistan, Afghanistan

Pakistan’s national animal, the markhor is a wild goat with spiral horns, thriving in rugged Himalayan terrain. Best seen in Chitral National Park during early mornings or late afternoons.

A shot of a Markhor sitting | Wikimedia Commons

Pangolin – Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia

The world’s most trafficked mammal, pangolins are elusive, nocturnal insectivores covered in protective keratin scales. Visit Zimbabwe’s Matobo Hills or Nepal’s Chitwan for ethical pangolin encounters.

A Indian Pangolin in its habitat doing its antics | Shutterstock

Gharial – India, Nepal

This long-snouted crocodilian is a fish-eating specialist found in India’s Chambal River and Nepal’s Rapti River. Gharials are critically endangered, with fewer than 1,000 mature individuals left in the wild.

A Gharial in its habitat | Wikimedia Commons

Proboscis Monkey – Borneo

Native to Borneo’s mangrove forests, these monkeys are known for their large noses and pot-bellied appearance. They are most active near riverbanks, especially in Sabah and Kalimantan regions.

A look at a Proboscis Monkey | Wikimedia Commons

Maned Wolf – Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia

Looking like a fox on stilts, the maned wolf is South America’s tallest wild canid. Its golden-red coat stands out in Brazil’s Cerrado biome, especially in Emas National Park.

A portrait of Maned Wolf | emmakessed.art/instagram

Japanese Serow – Japan

This goat-antelope species is endemic to Japan’s mountainous forests. It’s shy but sometimes spotted in Nagano or Yamagata prefectures, where it feeds on shrubs and tree leaves.

Kamoshika in the wild in Yamadera | Wikimedia Commons

Fossa – Madagascar

Madagascar’s apex predator, the fossa resembles a small cougar and hunts lemurs with cat-like agility. Spotting one is rare, but Kirindy Forest offers the best chances.

The fossa has a cat-like appearance, resembling a small cougar | Wikimedia Commons

Okapi – Democratic Republic of Congo

A giraffe relative with zebra-like legs, the okapi is endemic to the Ituri Rainforest. It’s solitary and shy, but travellers can visit the Okapi Wildlife Reserve for guided sightings.

A portrait of an Okapi | Wikimedia Commons

10 Lesser-Known Animals In India And Where To Find Them

A close-up of a Nilgiri Tahr | Shutterstock
Read More