Elephants
 Elephants are both the most striking of the mammals and the most economically important. The Indian elephant (Elephants Maximas), smaller than the African, is the world's second largest land mammal. Unlike the African elephant, the male rarely reaches a height of over 3 meters; it also has smaller ears. Other distinguishing features include the high domed forehead, the rounded shape of the back and the smooth trunk with a single 'finger' at the end. There are approximately 6,500 elephants living in the wild in northern West Bengal, Assam and Bhutan. There are a further 2,000 in Central India and 6,000 in the three South Indian States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Big Cats
 Of the three Indian big cats the Asiatic lion is virtually confined to a single reserve. The other two, the tiger and leopard, occasionally occur outside. The Tiger, which prefers to live in fairly dense cover, is most likely to be glimpsed as it lies in long grass or in dappled shadow. The Asiatic Lion is now found only in the Gir National Park. Less sleek than the African lion, it has a more shaggy coat and a smaller, often black mane. The Leopard or Panther as it is often called in India, is far more numerous than the tiger, but is even more elusive. The all black form is not uncommon in areas of higher rainfall such as Western Ghats and Northeast India, though the typical form is seen more often.
At one time the tiger roamed freely throughout the sub-continent and at the beginning of this century the estimated population was 40,000 animals. Gradually, due mainly to increased pressure on its habitat by human encroachment and resulting destruction of the habitat, the numbers of this beautiful animal dwindled to fewer than 2,000 in 1972. This was the low at point and alarmed the approaching extinction of the tiger, concerned individuals with the backing of the Government and the World Wildlife Fund, set up Project Tiger in 1973. Initially 9 parks were set up to protect the tiger and this was expanded over the years. However, despite encouraging signs in the first decade the latest tiger census suggests that there are still fewer than 2,500.
Bears
The Sloth Bear, about 75 centimetres at the shoulder, lives in broken forest, but may be seen on a lead accompanying a street entertainer who makes it 'dance' to music as a part of an act. They have a long snout, a pendulous lower lip and a shaggy black coat with a yellowish V-shaped mark on the chest
Deer and Antelope
 Deer and Antelope are often confused, but they are two quite distinct groups of animals. Deer have solid, branched antlers which are made of bone, have a blood supply and are grown and shed each year. Antelope on the other hand carry horns which are not shed, but grow a bit every year leaving ring marks on the horn. They are hollow and are made of modified skin, rather like nails and claws. Both deer and antelope are found in India.
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