Wildlife of Odisha

Overview of Faunal Diversity

Odisha’s diverse habitats — moist and dry deciduous forests, semi-evergreen patches, mangrove swamps, coastal lagoons, and the open ocean — support a rich and varied fauna. The state is home to approximately 110 species of mammals, 479 species of birds, 110 species of reptiles, 24 species of amphibians, and over 180 species of freshwater and marine fish. This faunal wealth places Odisha among the more biodiverse states of India. The state’s position along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and the Central Asian Flyway makes it an important corridor and destination for migratory birds. The coastline and offshore waters are critical habitat for several threatened marine species, including dugongs and five species of sea turtles.

Mammals

Odisha’s mammalian fauna includes most of the iconic large mammals of the Indian subcontinent. The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is found in Similipal, Satkosia, and Sunabeda, with the Similipal population being particularly notable for the occurrence of melanistic (pseudo-melanistic) individuals. The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) ranges over a population of about 2,000 individuals distributed across three elephant reserves. The leopard (Panthera pardus) is more widely distributed and frequently comes into conflict with humans in the peri-urban and agricultural interfaces. The gaur or Indian bison (Bos gaurus) is found in healthy numbers in Similipal, Debrigarh, Kuldiha, and Kotagarh sanctuaries. The sambar (Rusa unicolor), chital or spotted deer (Axis axis), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), and the rare four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis) represent the ungulate community.

Smaller carnivores include the wild dog (Cuon alpinus), jackal, hyena, jungle cat, fishing cat (particularly in the mangrove and wetland habitats of Chilika and Bhitarkanika), and various species of civets and mongooses. The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is found in the dry deciduous and scrub forests, especially in the western districts. The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), highly threatened by illegal wildlife trade, occurs in low densities across the forested areas. Giant squirrels, flying squirrels, and various primates including the rhesus macaque and the Hanuman langur are common in many forested regions. The ratel or honey badger, noted for its fearlessness, has been recorded from several sanctuaries.

Birds

Odisha’s avifauna is exceptionally rich due to the state’s location on migratory flyways and the presence of diverse wetland and forest habitats. The state bird is the Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis), a colourful bird commonly seen in agricultural and scrub landscapes. Notable forest birds include the Indian peafowl (national bird), grey junglefowl, Malabar pied hornbill, great hornbill, hill myna, and various species of owls, eagles, and woodpeckers. Chilika Lake and Bhitarkanika are the premier birding destinations, hosting over 200 and 320 species respectively. The greater flamingo, lesser flamingo, bar-headed goose, Northern pintail, Brahminy duck, and several species of storks and cranes are prominent winter visitors to the wetlands. The white-bellied sea eagle, osprey, brahminy kite, and Pallas’s fish eagle dominate the wetland raptor community. In the scrublands of western Odisha, the great Indian bustard was historically recorded but is now believed to be locally extinct.

Reptiles and Aquatic Fauna

The reptilian fauna of Odisha is dominated by three charismatic groups. The saltwater crocodile and mugger crocodile populations in Bhitarkanika and Satkosia respectively are conservation success stories. The gharial was reintroduced into the Mahanadi at Satkosia but has not established a self-sustaining breeding population. Sea turtles are represented by five species, but the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is by far the most significant, with mass nesting at Gahirmatha, Rushikulya, and Devi river mouths. The Indian rock python (Python molurus), king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), and monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis) are notable reptiles of the forested areas. The aquatic fauna includes populations of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin in Chilika Lake and offshore waters, the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, and the dugong, which historically occurred along the Odisha coast but is now extremely rare. Odisha’s rivers and reservoirs support a productive fishery comprising major Indian carps, catfishes, murrels, and the prized hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha), which ascends the Mahanadi and other rivers for breeding.

Conservation Status and Threats

Many of Odisha’s wildlife species face serious threats. Habitat loss and fragmentation due to mining, industrial development, agriculture, and infrastructure projects are the primary drivers of population decline. Poaching for bushmeat, body parts (tiger bone, leopard skin, elephant ivory), and the illegal wildlife trade is a persistent problem. Human-wildlife conflict, particularly involving elephants, leopards, and crocodiles, results in human casualties and retaliatory killing of wildlife. Climate change poses a long-term threat, especially to coastal and mangrove species through sea-level rise and increased cyclone intensity. The Forest and Environment Department, supported by the Wildlife Wing, implements the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Odisha Wildlife Conservation Strategy, managing the protected area network and engaging with communities to reduce threats and promote coexistence.