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Top 6 Rare Animals You Might Spot in Pench National Park

•  Sanskriti Goyal
•  December 04, 2025

Pench National Park

Safari in Pench

Rare Animals

Most people go to Pench National Park for the sightings of tigers in their natural habitat. This park is a home for wild animals, and people can see them through the gypsy safari adventure. The Royal Bengal Tigers are the main attraction of the park, but this spot has a lot of other species too. There are animals that are rare, shy, and often unseen by most tourists. These are the ones that make this park different from other wildlife destinations. People can enjoy a safari in Pench and get an amazing opportunity to spot rare animals that might not be found anywhere else. The rare fauna species that call Pench National Park home are: 

1. Indian Wolf

The Indian Wolf is one of the rarest carnivores that can be found in the Pench National Park. Unlike the tigers, wolf prefers the open grasslands and hunt mostly in small packs. You’ll rarely see them during the day, as they’re mostly active at dawn and dusk. If you’re lucky, then you might get a thrilling chance to see a wolf at the end of the evening safari ride. Wolves are shy animals, and they move silently inside the park. They communicate with each other through soft howls and hunt together with amazing teamwork. Watching a wolf in Pench feels like spotting a ghost. It feels truly amazing to spot these shy creatures that are rare species of fauna, found inside the park. 

Best chance to spot: Near the buffer zones and open grasslands at the end of the evening safaris or the start of early morning safaris.

2. Indian Leopard 

The leopards are another shy animal that call Pench National Park home. These shy creatures don’t like to be in front of humans. However, you might get a chance to spot them inside the park on branches of the trees, or inside the core areas during your safari in Pench. They look amazing with black spots on their golden fur. The population of leopards is high in Pench, but they are rarely seen because they’re smart and secretive. They know how to blend with their surroundings and remain hidden from others. If you’re lucky, you might spot one relaxing on a tree branch or crossing the trail during your safari. They also come in the top carnivore of the park and mostly hunt animals like deer, monkeys, and wild boars.

Best chance to spot: They can be seen easily during the early mornings or late evenings safaris near rocky areas or waterholes inside Pench. 

3. Sloth Bear

The sloth bear looks cuddly from afar, but they are one of the most dangerous animals in Pench National Park. They have a shaggy appearance with long claws. They spend most of the time digging out termites or honeycombs inside the Pench National Park. If you spot them from a distance, then you’ll feel like going there and hugging them, but don’t even think of it. They usually come out from the deep forest areas uring night, but sometimes can be spotted during the early morning safaris. They wander around the forest during the night along the dusty tracks. You might get a chance to see their paw prints on the dusty tracks if you go for the first ride inside the park. Their slow walk, long snout, and funny-looking face make them truly unique animal species. 

Best chance to spot: They are mostly seen during the early mornings, especially during the summer season, because they come out from the deep forest to enjoy the sunlight. 

4. Rusty - Spotted Cat

This is the tiniest cat found in the huge area of Pench National Park. The rusty cat is of the same size as the regular cats that are seen in houses. But this cat is a lot different from them. The rusty spotted cat is wild, quick, and stunningly beautiful. It has a soft gray coat with rusty spots and bright eyes. Their eyes are easily seen under moonlight because they sparkle. They have a small size and a shy nature, and because of that, spotting them is quite difficult. They remain hidden inside the park, but can be seen during the evening rides. They don’t come easily in front of humans, but their sighting is a treat in itself. 

Best chance to spot: They can be seen near the rocky areas of the park, during evening safaris, or at night. 

5. Indian Giant Flying Squirrel

The  Indian Giant Flying Squirrel can be seen inside the Pench National Park, gliding from one tree to another under the moonlight. These are cute species that have a furry body and a long tail. They use their flaps of skin to glide through the air for long distances. The Indian Giant Flying Squirrel is a nocturnal animal of the wild and famous Pench National Park. However, they can be spotted even outside the park. If you stay at a resort or hotel near the park, then you might get the chance to see these cute animals gliding silently between branches. 

Best Chance to spot: They are mostly seen near the tall and dense trees - especially during the evening safaris. 

6. Dhole

These are basically Indian wild dogs, but they are a lot different than the street dogs. The dholes are wild dogs, and they are seen only in the wild forests like Pench. They are one of the most intelligent hunters that call Pench home. They are mostly seen in packs and they are famous among people for their strong teamwork and loud whistling calls. The dholes never hunt inside the park when they are alone. They mostly hunt the animals in packs with proper teamwork. They can even hunt down prey much bigger than themselves. Watching a pack of Dholes running together through the forest is one of the most thrilling sights that people experience when they go for a safari in Pench. 

Best Chance to spot: These wild dogs are mostly spotted by the tourists near the water sources during morning safari adventure inside Pench.