RESEARCH: In a ground breaking news, a group of scientists announced the successful completion of the full genome sequencing of the tiger. The data collected from the tiger genome will now form the basis of all future genetic studies related to conservation of the highly endangered species of big cats. The complete genome sequencing of […]
200 Endangered Birds Seized in Kolkata: Illegal Trade Continues to Flourish in India
ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE: The only reason pet bird trade continues to flourish is because many of us continue to buy caged birds. It is at times when the illegal and inhuman practices of pet traders are brought to light that a few pause to ponder over the plight of these unfortunate winged creatures. In one […]
Rare Butterfly Seen after 74 Years!
RARE SPECIES SIGHTING: Viewing a group of butterflies fluttering by is always a pleasurable sight. However, the joy of naturalists Sanjoy Sondhi and Purnendu Roy doubled when they discovered not any other butterfly but a rare sub-species, the Tibetan Brimstone at Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Tibetan Brimstone has […]
Pod of Rare Indus River Dolphins Spotted in Punjab
RARE SPECIES SIGHTING: In exciting news for dolphin lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, the officials of Harike Wildlife Sanctuary in Punjab reported spotting 12 Indus dolphins (Platanista gangetica minor) in a single sighting. This is the first time that a complete pod of the endangered dolphin species has been sighted near the sanctuary, which lies about […]
Satellite tags to help reveal More about Lesser Floricans
CONSERVATION: Endangered species are animals and plants whose number in their natural habitat is so limited that they might get extinct if proper measures are not taken to save them. However, more often than not, it is lack of comprehensive information related to these species that makes planning their protection or conservation difficult. It is […]
Another Rhino Death in India Scars World Rhino Day
POACHING: Today is World Rhinoceros Day; a day to celebrate a magnificent animal that evolved about 50 million years ago from the first mammals that developed hooves. But the animal bestowed with natural armour has little to feel good about especially in its home continents of Africa and Asia. Even as the day makes the […]
Vanishing Medicinal Plants of Kashmir Himalaya
RED ALERT: The practice of using local herbs as medicinal remedies for a variety of health conditions is widely known in India. It is a knowledge that has been acknowledged by the world as India’s Ayurvedic medicine tradition. Even as modern drugs gain popularity, the tradition of using herbs to cure a headache, a cough, […]
3 year old Tiger Bitten by Rabid Dog
SPECIES WATCH: In a rather bizarre incident, a three-year old tiger cub was attacked by a rabid dog at Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh causing much concern to park authorities and veterinary doctors. The dog charged at the tiger cub in Hinauta range on September 10. Unfazed initially, the tiger walked away. However on […]
Tourism At Nature’s Expense: Marine Turtle Populations At Risk
CONSERVATION CONCERN: Tourism is undoubtedly an important sector of the Indian economy. However, when tourism begins to take a toll on our country’s natural heritage, it’s time we realign our priorities. One such tourist destination, where the effects of over-tourism are clearly visible, is the 60 km long coastline of East Midnapore in West Bengal, […]
Lovely Lantana Spelling Doom for Tigers
RED ALERT: Can a plant become a problem for the tigers? A new study shows, it can. Lantana (Lantana camara), a perennial flowering shrub, bearing multi coloured flowers has become a problem for tiger reserves across the country. A report finds the invasive species that has high adaptability is causing havoc to biodiversity in tropical […]
A Tiger’s Growl to keep Elephants Away
CONSERVATION ACTION: Wild elephants are usually not a tiger’s prey. But the calves are still threatened by the wild cat and to keep a herd safe, the jumbos need to stay alert. Now researchers believe they can utilise the keen predator sensing skills of elephants to avoid crop raiding and other elephant-human conflict. A study […]