Question

Antelope cervicapra/ Black Buck is
A. Vulnerable
B. Endangered
C. Critically endangered
D. Extinct in the wild

Answer 1

Antelope cervicapra or Black Buck is an animal indigenous to the Indian subcontinent mainly India, Pakistan, and Nepal. It is also called the Indian antelope. They are herbivores and are mainly found in the grasslands. Due to various factors such as climate change and hunting etc. their numbers have fallen drastically.

Complete answer:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature is an organization that aims to protect natural resources and ensure its sustainable use. Animals being a part of the natural resource are protected under the guidelines given by the organization. The organization enlisted animals in various categories depending on their number. The list is known as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Some of those categories are:

Vulnerable species - Animals or plants listed in the vulnerable category have low numbers but not so much that they are endangered. Habitat loss could be a possible cause. If the circumstances leading to a habitat loss or any other possible cause could be reversed, these animals will no longer be vulnerable. Koala, Mountain zebra, etc. are classified as vulnerable.
Endangered species are few in number so much that they may go extinct. Hunting, poaching, or killing of these species is prohibited. Chimpanzee, Black Buck, and Kashmir musk deer are few that fall into this category.
Critically endangered species pose a very high risk of going extinct. Extensive measures are taken to protect them. Black rhinoceros falls in this category.
Extinct in the wild species are no longer found in its natural environment, for example, black softshell turtles.

The correct option is (B). BlackBuck is an endangered animal.

Note: In India, hunting of Black Buck is a punishable offense, 3-7 years of imprisonment along with a fine. The animal is listed in schedule one of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. As it’s endangered, the Black Bucks inhabit the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Gir Forest National Park and Ranebennur Black Buck Sanctuary are some of the protected lands where this animal resides.