Ten days ago tragedy struck the world of exotic pets in a bitter way. In Ohio, USA a deranged man left the gates open of his private zoo, freeing all his collection animals after which he committed suicide. The fate of these animals including tigers, lions and wolves, was doomed as soon as the gates […]
The Union ministry of environment and forest announced last week that 17 species of animals and birds that are listed as endangered are being considered for recovery from the ‘Endangered species list’ of the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The list includes Asiatic Lions whose population is visibly increasing and other species like the Indian bustards and snow leopards that are known to be struggling to survive.
The Himalayan Monal, Lophophorus impejanus also known as the Impeyan Monal or Impeyan Pheasant or Danphe is soon to get an advanced breeding centre in Manali after the Central Zoo Authority approved the proposal. The plan pending for a long time will help the state bird of Uttaranchal get greater protection and hopefully help increase […]
The barbed wire fencing marking the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan has reduced infiltration to a large extent. But what it has also led to is the fragmentation of habitat of many wild animals in the Jammu and Kashmir region sometimes also proving fatal for them when they accidently trip the landmines.
The name Dugong probably may not ring a bell to most. Otherwise known as Sea-cow, Dugongs are marine mammals akin to sharks, whales, seals and dolphins. These are harmless underwater animals, big in size and feed only on sea grass, coming on to the surface of water at regular intervals to breathe like whales and Gangetic Dolphins. They spend most of their time feeding on sea grass; because of this, their habitat is restricted to coastal waters of Indo-west –Pacific tropics and ranges across 37 nations. Once found in abundance, today their species are in extreme danger due to uncontrolled mechanized fishing, poaching and habitat loss. Dugongs are categorised as threatened species coming under the IUCN Red list. Quite a few important conservation measures are being undertaken by organisations including Government of India.
There was a new member of the cat family spotted at Corbett National Park recently thanks to camera trapping. The cat is slightly smaller than the domestic cat with a grey coat and is an endangered cat species called the rusty spotted cat
Finally Wildlife of India is getting some high-tech attention. A team of scientists have planned to use surveillance technology and Information Technology for creating a ‘Virtual Fence’ to prevent wild animals from straying into human habitation. The proposal has a holistic approach intended to monitor poaching and illegal activities. It is also aimed to protect both man and wild animals
The high altitude areas of India’s north-eastern states are a nature lover’s paradise but many of the area remain unexplored because of the difficult terrain. It is therefore no wonder that some wild creatures still remain hidden in the vast landscape of these inaccessible lands. WWF-India recently discovered one such creature that was never before reported to be found in India – the rare black Pika.
This time it is poaching of a different kind and a threat of a different magnitude. Live, endangered Indian animals like turtles, tortoises, gharials and even bear and leopard cubs, are being trafficked by air, stuffed in suitcases, to Bangkok, to be sold as pet animals. These unfortunate animals are traded at chatuchak market area in Bangkok and the Suvarnabhumi air port is being used as transit point for this illegal activity.
Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary near Chandigarh is transforming into a perfect haven for wild animals. Massive afforestation and soil conservation efforts have turned this once erosion stricken land to a forest and a wildlife sanctuary that boasts of 9 mammal species and 63 species of birds according to a first time ever survey conducted by Widlife Institiute of India.
A major challenge faced by animals bred in captivity is their struggle to adjust in the wild where they need to feed and protect themselves. The Darjeeling Zoo seems to have sorted out the problem for some of the Himalayan endangered species by planning to set up an off display breeding centre. The primary objective of such an initiative is to release the zoo bred animals to the wild with the near wild environment of the proposed centre facilitating both breeding and honing of hunting skills of these animals.
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