Rajasthan’s wide-open spaces are home to an abundant array of wildlife, ranging from superlative tigers and leopards throughout to local curiosities such as the nilgai (blue bull) and four-horned chowsingha (swamp deer) – not to mention a rich variety of colorful birdlife. The state’s relatively low population density compared to other parts of India and the presence of numerous nature reserves (some first established as hunting grounds by former rulers) have both contributed to the state’s copious wildlife, as have the outlook of traditional rural communities closely accustomed to the natural world, showed by the celebrated Bishnois of the Jodhpur region, India’s original eco-warriors. Habitat loss due to human encroachment remains a problem, however, as does the often shattering attentions of wildlife poachers, who have succeeded in reducing Rajasthan’s tiger population to the verge of extinction, as well as targeting species ranging from sambar deer to the great Indian bustard.

The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), the Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii), the Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), and the Indian Wild Ass are found in the desert of Rajasthan in big numbers although these wildlife species are vanishing in other parts of India.

Rajasthan is also noted for having some Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks. There are 4 wildlife sanctuaries and national park named as the Sariska Tiger Reserve (Alwar), Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur), Ranthambore National Park (Sawai Madhopur), and Desert National Park (Jaisalmer). Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary and Ranthambore National Park are known worldwide for their tiger population and measured by both photographers and wild lovers as the best places in India to spot tigers.

The Desert National Park of Jaisalmer (3162 km² of area), is an outstanding example of the Thar Desert ecosystem, and its varied fauna. The great Indian Bustard, chinkara, Blackbuck, Bengal fox, desert fox, desert cat, wolf, etc. can be seen here easily. The region is also a haven for nomadic and inhabitant birds of the desert. Many eagles, falcons, harriers, kestrel, vultures and buzzards can be easily noticed. Spotted Eagles (Aquila clanga), Tawny Eagles (Aquila rapax), Short-toed Eagles (Circaetus gallicus), kestrels and Laggar Falcons (Falco jugger) and are the commonest of these.

One of the best Tiger Reserves in India is the Ranthambore National Park of Sawai Madhopur which became a part of Project Tiger in 1973. The Sariska Tiger Reserve of Alwar district is about 200 km away from Delhi (the Capital of India) and 107 km away from Jaipur (Capital of Rajasthan) and it covers an area of about 800 km2. The area was declared as a National Park in 1979.

The Keoladeo National Park also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park previously known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is at Bharatpur, region of  Rajasthan and is famous for avifauna sanctuary that make out thousands of highly endangered  and rare birds such as the Siberian Crane. Over 250 classes of birds are known to have made the National Park their home.