From the Himalayas in the north to the coast of the Bay of Bengal in the south and everything in between, West Bengal's varied geography allows a variety of ecosystems to flourish in the state. From Bengal tigers to Indian elephants to fishing cats and much more, the state is blessed with a diversity of wildlife. Here are seven iconic species in the state:
Fishing Cat
A fishing cat. Image credit: Kelinahandbasket via Wikimedia Commons.
West Bengal is known for its fish-loving people, so it is unsurprising that its state animal also loves fish. The fishing cat is an endangered species found in wetlands across the state, but its numbers are fast dwindling. One of the best places to spot these birds is Bagnan in the Howrah district of the state where a group of youngsters are working hard to protect the species from habitat loss, road accidents and persecution by people. Fishing cats are elusive and nocturnal small wild cats, roughly slightly larger than the house cat, and usually found near water bodies. Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is another place where one can try their luck at seeing these wild cats.
Bengal Tiger
A Bengal tiger in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve, West Bengal. Image credit: Soumyajit Nandy via Wikimedia Commons.
From the small cat to the big one. West Bengal is also home to the Royal Bengal tiger. While the tiger was formerly found in the forests of North Bengal, now, the population is primarily bound to the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve. The swamp tigers are as unique as can be. They live on islands covered in dense mangrove forests and swim across the river to other islands in search of food and mates. What is most interesting about these tigers is that humans are part of their prey base. When people enter tiger territory, often illegally, tigers also take the opportunity to hunt them. They are apex predators on land in the Sundarbans. There are boat safaris in the Sundarbans where you can be lucky enough to spot one of these majestic and athletic big cats of the Sundarbans.
Darjeeling Woodpecker
Darjeeling Woodpecker at Singalila National Park, West Bengal, India. Image credit: Ajit Hota via Wikimedia Commons.
When a bird has Darjeeling in both its common and scientific name, the Dendrocopos darjellensis, it definitely deserves mention on this list. It is a beautiful bird sporting several colours and is found in forests and shrublands in the Himalayas. The Singalila National Park in the Darjeeling District is a great place to spot this bird.
Saltwater Crocodile
A saltwater crocodile in the Sundarbans. Image credit: Fabian Roudra Baroi via Wikimedia Commons.
While the Sundarbans has tigers on land, it also has gigantic crocodiles in its waters. Sundarbans occur at the delta of the Ganga River as it enters the Bay of Bengal. The brackish water here supports a large population of saltwater crocodiles, the largest living reptiles! They can weigh as much as 1,000 to 1,500 kg! These crocodiles stay quiet in the waters, waiting to ambush their prey. Once it attacks, it rolls its prey underwater and, drowns it, and then swallows it. In the Sundarbans, there are several cases of humans being attacked by these crocodilians. You can watch these crocodiles basking in the sun on the muddy banks as you cruise along the mangroves in the Sundarbans.
Indian Elephant
Wild elephants grazing at Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal. Image credit: Jonoikobangali via Wikimedia Commons.
West Bengal houses a significant population of these gentle giants. Safaris through the forests of North Bengal, like Jaldapara National Park and Gorumara, offer great opportunities to spot wild herds of these elephants. West Bengal also houses one-sixth of the elephant corridors in India, with 26 corridors, including 15 in the northern part of the state and the rest in the south. A total of around 700 elephants reside in the state. Non-forested human-dominated landscapes and linear infrastructure like highways, railway lines, canals, etc, disrupt elephant movement through these corridors. Thus, much work must be done to ensure a safe passage to West Bengal's elephants.
Brown-winged Kingfisher
A brown-winged kingfisher. Image credit: Allan Drewitt via Flickr.com.
When talking about West Bengal, its fish-loving people and fishing cats, we must also mention the kingfishers. While the white-throated kingfisher is the State Bird of West Bengal, the state is also home to many other species of kingfishers, like the brown-winged kingfisher. One of the best places to observe them is the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, which is a great birdwatching spot with over 428 species of resident and migratory birds recorded there. Among them is the brown-winged kingfisher, a near-threatened species. It is a chunky bird with an orangish neck, scarlet beak, and dark brown wings and, hence, is a photographer's delight.
Indian Wolf
An Indian wolf. Image credit: Dhaval Vargiya via Wikimedia Commons.
The industrial town of Durgapur is known for its major steel plants, but this heavily industrialised region also has a mysterious side to it. Around this town and its rivers are wild patches of grasslands and forests that are home to some of the most elusive wild canids - the Indian grey wolf. They are called the "ghost of the grasslands" and are nocturnal and elusive in nature. Camera trap photography has shown several packs of wolves roaming along the city's outskirts, but their numbers are believed to be dwindling due to urban expansion. The Indian wolf is an endangered species, and protecting them in their habitat in Durgapur is extremely important.
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