In local parlance, the Caracal is called ‘Siyagosh’ meaning ‘black ear’. It is an ode to the black tuft of hair peaking on the two ears of this wild cat. They act like antennae, picking up distant and minute vibrations. For the Caracal they are one of the many characteristics adapted to survive in the […]
A Command for Conservation
Noted ornithologist Harsh Vardhan recently played a key role in helping army officers create a bird park in Jaipur, Rajasthan. He believes this is the first such effort by the army and was impressed by the pace at which the plan was executed. Here is an account in his own words, What has the army […]
Tigress Machhli Of Ranthambore To Be Genetically Mappped
Machhli is one of India’s most famous tigresses for reasons more than one. This legendary tigress of Ranthambore who lived for 19 years has many sobriquets to her credit. Also known as ‘Lady of the lakes ‘ and ‘ Crocodile killer’ , the most photographed tigress that helped contribute a lot to enhance the tiger […]
The Perils Of Being A Great Indian Bustard
In the 1970s, Arab royalties would often come to India for falconry, a sport that involved shooting of birds like the Great Indian Bustard, commonly found then in Western Rajasthan. It is believed that the Indian government extended this invitation to the Arabs, as a diplomatic gesture but it came to an abrupt end when […]
Sariska Tigress Caught on Camera with 3 New Cubs
Camera trap pictures of Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan showed tigress ST12 with 3 cubs. This is the first time the tiger cubs were seen and it raises the number of tigers in the National Park to 17. 12 years ago, Sariska lost all its tigers to poaching. In 2008, the conservation plan of shifting […]
Rajasthan gets Drones and Cameras for Wildlife Monitoring
The state of Rajasthan is installing an advanced surveillance mechanism which includes drones and thermal cameras to curb the menace of poaching and other anti-wildlife activities in an attempt to protect its wildlife and forests. This includes over 9% of the state’s geographical area and include biodiversity-rich national parks like Ranthambore and Sariska. This surveillance […]
Great Indian Bustard Numbers Rising in Rajasthan
Quick Notes The number of Great Indian Bustards in Rajasthan has gone up from 11 to 31. The bird is one of the rarest in the world and is marked Critically Endangered by IUCN. It is currently found in only 6 Indian states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The number […]
Caracal Spotted In Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary For The First Time
The caracal is not a commonly known wild cat in India because of its very rare appearance. But the cat does exist here and it was recently spotted for the first time in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan. While they are known to live in the state, the earlier sightings in Rajasthan have only been […]
Desert National Park Gets App For Tracking Wildlife
The Desert National Park (DNP) in Rajasthan has become the first in the state to use an android-based software for tracking and patrolling the activities of frontline staff. The field staff make use of this software to make observations on important information while patrolling. This is transmitted in real time to the authorities through a […]
Increase in Flamingo Population in Sambhar Lake,Rajasthan
RISING NUMBERS: The desert state of India is flocking with pink feathered birds this season. The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) which was completed on January 16th has noted an increase in the number of Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and Lesser Flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor) in the state. The census found 1300 greater flamingos and 1800 lesser […]
Unusual Sighting: Blue-Eyed Leopards Seen in Jungles of India
SPOTTED: The animal world has always been known to be resplendent with colors. However, as with human beings, the color blue is a rare eye color even for animals. Nevertheless, a recent sighting of an entire family of blue-eyed leopards (Panthera pardus) in Pali district in Rajasthan reinforces the fact that nature is filled with […]