Rajasthan is a haven for a wide spectrum of wild life. Some of the most rare species of animals and birds in the numerous wild life sanctuaries and national parks of Rajasthan ironically owe their existence to the hunting pleasures of the erstwhile maharajas, who carefully nurtured forests to ensure supply of regular sport.

The topography of Rajasthan ranges from the barren desert, scrub-thorn arid forests, rocks and ravines to wetlands and lush green forests. Each of these areas houses a large variety of animal and bird life, some of them rare and some endangered. Special areas have been marked as wildlife reserves. These include Desert National Park, Wood Fossil Park, Kanodiawala, Rann Gajner, Tal Chapper, Sariska, Baretha, Keoldeo Ghana, Vanvihar, Ranthambhor, Ramgarh, Chambal, Darrah, Jawahar Sagar, Sitamata, Jaisamand, Mount Abu and Kumbhalgarh.

Rajasthan is the home of black bucks, chinkara, the rare desert fox, the endangered caracal, the great Indian bustard, gavial, monitor lizard, wild boars, porcupine.

Amongst the 20 reserves selected under Project Tiger, launched in 1973 to save this endangered animal, the Ranthambhor National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve are considered by both naturalists and photographers as the best places in India to view tigers.

Migratory birds like the common crane, ducks, imperial sand grouse, falcons, coots and pelicans and the peacock, the national bird of India can be found all over the state. The rare Siberian cranes flying an incredible 3,900 miles, flock to this state during the winter months. Another equally rare and nearly extinct bird, the Great Indian Bustard can be seen in the rolling sand dunes and scrub-covered hills of the Desert National Park near Jaisalmer.