Corresponding to its variegated topography and climate, the state has a wealth of animal life. Its avifauna is among the richest in the country. Widespread in the jungles of Uttar Pradesh except in the higher reaches of the Himalayas, are found the tiger, leopard, wild bear, sloth bear, chital, sambhar, jackal, porcupine, jungle cat, hare, squirrel, monitor, lizard and fox. The most common birds include the crow, pigeon, dove, jungle fowl, black partridge, house sparrow, peafowl, blue jay, parakeet, kite, myna, quail, bulbul, kingfisher and woodpecker.

Certain species are found in special habitats. The elephant is confined to the terai and the foothills. The gond and para also found in this region. The chinkara and the sand grouse prefer a dry climate and have their habitat in the Vindhyan forests. The musk deer and the brown bear is found in the higher Himalayas. Among the game birds resident in the state are the snipe, comb duck, grey duck, cotton teal and whistling teal.

Several species of wildlife have become extinct in Uttar Pradesh. Among them are the lion from the Gangetic plain and the rhinoceros from the terai. The fate of many species is uncertain the black buck, serow, musk deer, swamp deer, bustard, pink-headed duck, chir and mural pheasants and four horned antelope.

Although a determined enforcement of laws against poaching and hunting has yielded some results, the wildlife population today is alarmingly low. Alligators and crocodiles were killed ruthlessly for their skin.

To preserve its wild life the state has established one National Park; famed Corbett National Park and 12 game sanctuaries. The Corbett National Park is situated partly in Ramnagar and partly in the Kalagarh forest division. It is one of the showpieces of the state.