Why are bala sharks endangered?

The bala shark (_Balantiocheilos Melanopterus_) is not considered endangered. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is listed as \*Least Concern\*.

While there have been concerns over the populations in their native habitats in Southeast Asia due to overfishing and habitat loss, the bala shark is readily available in the aquarium trade and is not considered a threatened or endangered species globally.