Consider the following fauna of India: 1. Gharial 2. Leatherback turtle 3. Swamp deer Which of the above is/are endangered?

The correct answer is Option 3 (1, 2 and 3). Under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, all three animals listed are categorized within the "threatened" bracket, which includes the Vulnerable, Endangered, and Critically Endangered categories, often collectively referred to as "endangered" in a general sense for competitive examinations.

• Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus): It is listed as Critically Endangered. Found primarily in the Chambal River, its population has faced a drastic decline due to habitat loss and fishing net entanglement.
• Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea): It is listed as Vulnerable globally, but specific subpopulations are Critically Endangered. In India, they nest in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and face threats from coastal development.
• Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii): Also known as Barasingha, it is categorized as Vulnerable. It is found in isolated pockets of North and Central India (e.g., Kanha National Park).

Since all three species face significant extinction risks and are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Option 3 is the most accurate choice.