Created in 1973, Little Rann of Kutch is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India, spanning some 4950 square kilometres in area and comprising a range habitats from saline desert plains, arid grasslands, rocky and thorn scrub to lakes and marshes.
The sanctuary is best known for its herds of the handsome, chestnut brown Asiatic wild ass which does not survive elsewhere and is the last of India’s wild horses. They are found in herds of 30 or so and are capable of withstanding severe dehydration. Little Rann of Kutch also supports a thriving population of gazelle, blue bull, wolf, Indian fox, jackal, jungle cat and hare. Birds include the houbara bustard, spotted and Indian sand grouse, francolin partridge, bustard quails, desert wheatear, desert larks, steppe eagle, imperial eagle, short-toed eagle, five species of vulture, laggar falcon, flamingos, pelicans, ducks, cranes and storks.
