While Punjab may not be the first state that comes to mind when discussing wildlife, it does have its own fair share of animals that have adapted to living in its agricultural fields, fragmented forests, and grasslands. With the exception of the first species on this list (which is completely missing from the state despite being a state symbol), the rest are present in significant to extremely low numbers in the state. Protecting these wild species must be a top priority for Punjab in the coming times.
Northern Goshawk - The Missing State Bird Of Punjab
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| A Northern goshawk. Image credit: F. Dahlmann via Wikimedia Commons. |
The Northern Goshawk, a formidable raptor, is the state bird of Punjab. However, unfortunately, this bird has not been seen in Punjab since its declaration, and there is more to the story. In 1989, the Eastern goshawk, a bird found in Africa, was designated as the state bird of Punjab. It was realised in 2015 that the bird had no presence in India, and the eastern goshawk was replaced with the northern goshawk, which is present in India. However, even this species has not been seen in Punjab’s skies. The choice of this bird, known as “baaz” in the local language, was primarily driven by the fact that it is mentioned in the Sikh religion’s sacred texts. The search for the bird is still on in the skies of Punjab and in 2025, a panel was formed to locate Punjab’s missing goshawks and citizens were asked to report the bird in case they happened to spot one.
Blackbuck
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| Blackbucks in the grassland. Image credit: Shadow Ayush via Wikimedia Commons. |
The state animal of Punjab, the blackbuck, with its strikingly spiralled horns and elegant leap, is beloved of the region’s Bishnoi community. These animals are found in significant numbers in grasslands and agricultural fields near Bishnoi settlements. The Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary is an ideal location to observe these beautiful animals in their natural habitat, protected by the Bishnois who reside there.
Sarus Crane
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| Image credit: Ad031259 via Wikimedia Commons. |
Standing as the world’s tallest flying bird, the Sarus Crane brings grace to Punjab’s wetlands and agricultural fields. A few decades ago, these birds had almost ceased to exist in the state, but now, the populations are gradually rising. Sarus cranes are known for their lifelong pairing, with their bond being so strong that the death of one mate often leads the other to starve itself to death. Thus, these birds are considered symbols of loyalty and marriage in parts of northern India. In Punjab, a pair of sarus cranes has been found to make the Keshopur wetland their permanent home. It is an extremely rare phenomenon as these birds usually move from one wetland to another. However, experts believe that the protection offered to the Keshopur wetland by restricting human activities in the area has allowed the birds to build their forever home in the area, as other regions remain unfavourable for their settlement.
Indus River Dolphin
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| A rare image of an Indus River dolphin. Image credit: Christina H Lockyer and Gill T Braulik via Wikimedia Commons. |
Punjab is the only home to the Indus River dolphin in India. However, this endangered species is on the verge of disappearing from the state, with the latest census finding only three individuals in the Beas River of Punjab. These dolphins are extremely sensitive to environmental changes and are threatened by river pollution, disturbances like the movement of vessels, dams, and also fish net entanglement.
Barking Deer
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| A male barking deer. Image credit: KongkhamWichit via Wikimedia Commons. |
Recognisable by its dog-like “bark,” which it uses as an alarm call, the barking deer, or muntjac, is among the most widespread deer species in India. In Punjab, it inhabits forests, foothills, and dense thickets. As a key herbivore, it helps shape vegetation patterns and serves as prey for carnivores, such as leopards.
Leopard
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| A leopard in the grassland. Image credit: Haplochromis via Wikimedia Commons. |
While Punjab does not have a very notable population size of this big cat, leopard sightings in the state are growing. According to sources, the loss of forest cover in neighbouring Himachal is forcing leopards to enter Punjab and mark their territory in the state. The government of the state is now planning to develop Anandpur Sahib's Jhajjar Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary as Punjab’s first leopard safari venue.
Chinkara
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| A chinkara. Image credit: Mvshreeram, via Wikimedia Commons. |
The chinkara, or Indian gazelle, is a slender, swift antelope adapted to the dry scrublands and semi-arid plains of Punjab. It thrives in landscapes where thorny vegetation and open terrain offer both food and escape routes. The species is known for its remarkable agility and ability to survive harsh, water-scarce conditions. The Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to spot these dainty antelopes. It is a private protected area managed by the local Bishnoi community.
