With reference to the Spot-billed Pelican, consider the following stat...
Spot-billed Pelican
The Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) is a large water bird that belongs to the pelican family. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Let's evaluate the given statements:
Statement 1: It is categorised as Near Threatened species under IUCN Red List.
The IUCN Red List is a comprehensive inventory of the conservation status of plant and animal species worldwide. It classifies species into different categories based on their population size, habitat, and threats they face. The Spot-billed Pelican is indeed categorized as Near Threatened under the IUCN Red List.
The Near Threatened category means that the species is not currently classified as threatened, but it has the potential to become threatened in the near future if conservation efforts are not implemented. The Spot-billed Pelican is facing various threats such as habitat loss, hunting, and disturbance at nesting sites, which have led to a decline in its population.
Therefore, the first statement is correct.
Statement 2: It is only found in India.
The Spot-billed Pelican is predominantly found in India, but it is not exclusive to India. It is also distributed in other countries in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Its range extends from eastern India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
While India is an important range country for the Spot-billed Pelican, it does not mean that it is the only country where the species is found. Hence, the second statement is incorrect.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A': 1 Only.