A nocturnal moth species, Actias selene, which had become rare and endangered was recently found by a team of researchers in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. The moth was first sighted by enthusiastic school children Mahadevan and Praveen and their headmistress N Geetha of Panchayat Union Elementary School, Kavundampatti, near Mannachanallur. This was in 2012 during the […]
Scientist Count 569 Dolphins Along Maharashtra Coast
A survey conducted in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra by biologists has brought to light that about 569 dolphins live in the region. It is believed that the actual number of dolphins could be much higher. Image via Project Noah The survey was a collaborative effort of the United Nations Development Programme, the Government of India […]
India to have 200 City Forests in the Next Five Years
In an effort to enhance and protect green cover in urban areas, the Environment ministry has brought out plans to develop 200 ‘city forests’ in the country in the following five years and inaugurate a ‘school nursery’ scheme to spread awareness about environment protection. The Centre proposes to do so by developing at least one […]
World’s Glaciers Melting at Fastest Rate Ever
A recent study on glaciers has indicated a serious imbalance in many regions of the world due to the severe ice loss of the past two decades. The research adds that stability in climatic conditions would not prevent further ice loss from glaciers. “The observed glaciers currently lose between half a metre and one metre […]
Tiger Numbers on the rise in Andhra Pradesh and Telengana
The newly bifurcated states of Telengana and Andhra Pradesh will soon have about 100 tigers owing to the conservation efforts at the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. If the authorities manage to successfully contain poaching in the following years, the tiger population is likely to cross the century mark from an all-time low of 68 in 2014. […]
Sniffer Dogs to Protect Rhinos of Kaziranga
Kaziranga National Park is all set to receive two sniffer dogs, named Kareena and Babli to protect the one-horned rhinoceros from poachers. The two will join, Jorba the only sniffer dog in the park till now, who has successfully aided officials in nabbing poachers and guarding the rhinos. Image for representation purpose only. Courtesy, wwf.org.uk […]
Endangered Asiatic Lions Drown in Flash Floods in Gujarat
The drought-prone areas of Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat struck by unseasonal heavy rains claimed the lives of 9 Asiatic lions after they got stuck in the flash flood. About 35 lions were reported missing. Amreli district, where the average monsoon rainfall is 600mm received 816 mm rainfall over three days was the worst affected. […]
New Nesting Ideas Helping Grey Hornbills Survive in Treeless Cities
Adaptation is one of the key requirements for successfully evolving and staying alive in the race of “the survival of the fittest”. The Indian Grey Hornbills of Indore are playing by these rules and have adapted to a highly urbanized environment created by human beings. In the concrete jungles where there are very few trees […]
New Plant Species of Camphor Discovered in the Western Ghats
A new tree species has been discovered in the Western Ghats, the leaves and stem of which, when crushed, gives out a strong smell of camphor. The species was first reported from Agasthyamala hills in the southern part of the Western Ghats and was hence named Cinnamomum Agasthyamalayanum. Image courtesy journalijar.com/uploads/899_IJAR-4343.pdf The genus Cinnamomum contains […]
Wildsense: A Gaming App for Citizen Scientists
This piece of news is particularly an interesting one for wildlife enthusiasts who also love their devices and enjoy playing games on them. There’s a new gaming app called Wildsense for iPad that lets you be a citizen scientist and have some fun. The game loads photos of animals in the wild that are analysed […]
Millions of Olive Ridley Turtles Hatch in India’s Largest Rookery
It is that time of the year again when the east coast of India comes to life with millions of olive ridley turtle hatchlings, just out of their eggs start making their journey towards the sea and begin their marine adventures. Last week, the Gahirmatha coast in Odisha’s Kendrapada district was witness to this beautiful […]