Featured Species
INDIAN OCEAN HUMPBACK DOLPHIN

An endangered coastal marine mammal recorded within the DBC-1 Project area. The Indus Delta, particularly the waters around Hajamro in Keti Bandar, serves as an important habitat where the species is regularly observed, including calves. These shallow coastal waters provide feeding grounds and safe movement corridors that support the early life stages of this species across the delta. This image captures a calf surfacing in a playful moment within its natural environment.

THE INDUS DELTA

MAMMAL DIVERSITY

Mammals of the Indus Delta mangrove ecosystem represent a diverse yet often elusive component of its biodiversity. Adapted to a challenging environment shaped by tidal fluctuations, salinity gradients, and dense mangrove cover, these species occupy a range of habitats from intertidal mudflats and creek banks to saltmarsh edges and fragmented scrublands. Golden jackals are among the most frequently observed mammals in the delta, while small carnivores such as civets and wild cats are recorded more rarely due to their secretive and mostly nocturnal behaviour. The mangrove system also supports a variety of small mammals, which play a key role in food webs as both predators of insects and prey for larger carnivores and raptors.

Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Endangered

Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin

Sousa plumbea

Habitat Coastal shallow waters, tidal creeks, estuarine channels, and nearshore zones of the Indus Delta, especially areas with high fish abundance.
Diet Primarily fish and cephalopods, feeding opportunistically on small schooling fish in productive coastal and estuarine waters.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Vulnerable

Fishing Cat

Prionailurus viverrinus

Habitat Dense mangrove forest, coastal wetlands, marshes, and riverine habitats with abundant fish and aquatic prey.
Diet Fish, crustaceans, frogs, small mammals, birds, and aquatic invertebrates caught from the water's edge.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Golden Jackal

Canis aureus

Habitat Mangrove forest margins, dry scrubland, coastal grassland, mudflats, and agricultural areas near the delta.
Diet Small mammals, birds, reptiles, carrion, fruits, insects, and human refuse, a highly adaptable omnivore.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Indian Gray Mongoose

Herpestes edwardsii

Habitat Mangrove edges, dry scrubland, rocky coastal areas, agricultural fields, and human settlements.
Diet Snakes, lizards, frogs, rodents, birds, eggs, insects, and invertebrates, a fearless and effective predator.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Desert Hare

Lepus tibetanus

Habitat Sandy desert margins, dry scrubland, arid grassland, and open coastal plains near the project boundary.
Diet Grasses, herbs, shrubs, roots, and dry plant matter grazed nocturnally.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Indian Crested Procupine

Hystrix indica

Habitat Dry forest, rocky scrubland, agricultural edges, and open coastal woodland near the delta.
Diet Roots, tubers, bark, fallen fruits, bones, and agricultural crops, a powerful nocturnal forager.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Indian Palm Squirrel

Funambulus palmarum

Habitat Mangrove canopy, scrub woodland, coastal plantations, gardens, and fruiting trees near human settlements.
Diet Fruits, seeds, nuts, flowers, nectar, bark, and occasionally insects; an active canopy forager.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Indian Desert Jird

Meriones hurrianae

Habitat Sandy desert margins, arid scrubland, dune systems, and dry open ground near the project boundary.
Diet Seeds, grains, dried plant material, and occasionally insects collected and stored in burrow systems.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Long-eared Hedgehog

Hemiechinus auritus

Habitat Arid and semi-arid scrubland, sandy desert margins, dry grassland, and coastal plains near the project boundary.
Diet Insects, beetles, worms, small reptiles, bird eggs, and plant matter foraged nocturnally.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Wild Boar

Sus scrofa

Habitat Mangrove forest, dense scrub, freshwater wetlands, agricultural areas, and coastal woodland.
Diet Roots, tubers, fallen fruits, invertebrates, small vertebrates, carrion, and agricultural crops, a highly adaptable omnivore.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Indian Flying Fox

Pteropus medius

Habitat Coastal woodlands, agricultural plantations, urban green spaces, and tall trees used for communal roosting colonies.
Diet Primarily ripe fruits, nectar, and flowers; also plays an important ecological role in pollination and seed dispersal.
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