A new technology that will help quickly identify shark species and help save them is here. The software called iSharkFin was developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) jointly with the University of Vigo and was funded by the Government of Japan and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora […]
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 […]
Hidden Jungle Animals Caught on Camera by School Children
Living in Pawani village in Maharashtra one would not usually consider the village to be a tiger territory. Rightly so, as the village does not fall within the boundary of any protected tiger reserve. However, the children of this village studying in Jai Seva Adarsh High School have proved everyone wrong. Armed with highly sensitive […]
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 […]
Artificial Coral Reef Structures create Ecosystems and Boost Livelihood
It might not be the real thing, but for fish swimming in southern Indian coastal waters, the artificial coral reef structures, a project initiated by The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) are a good enough place to live and thrive. It is also a reason why fishermen from about 25 villages in Tamil Nadu […]
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 […]
Declining Population of Large Herbivores may turn the Planet to Barren Landscapes
Herbivores or plant eating animals are found on every continent of the earth other than Antarctica. Among these, the number of known land herbivore species is approximately 4000. But a recent study of large herbivores led by Professor William Ripple of the Oregon State University has brought into light some very worrying results. The study […]
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 […]
Grey Hornbills at Dusk- Book Review
Amrita Sharma reviews for India’s Endangered, Grey Hornbills at Dusk by Bulbul Sharma Delhi is a truly fascinating city. It reflects the diversity of India where religions, languages, customs & cultures co-exist in a splendid plural harmony. Magnificent ancient monuments and architectural wonders, enchanting museums and art galleries, a scintillating performing-arts scene, exceptional eating places […]
Villagers Plan Wedding of Sparrows on World Sparrow Day
It was a wedding that had an invitation list of more than a 1000 guests. In Mohanpur village in Banda district of UP, India, Chunmun the ‘groom’ sparrow wed Guuriya the ‘bride’ sparrow, in a ceremony that had the usual grandeur of a big fat Indian wedding. On world sparrow day which is celebrated on […]
Eco Travel: Dachigam National Park, Jammu & Kashmir
A monthly focus on one of the many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of India. In the northernmost Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, lies the Dachigam National Park, the only remaining home of the endangered Kashmir Deer Stag or the Hangul. Species to Watch Hangul or Kashmir Deer stag (Cervus elaphus hanglu) – Listed as Endangered on […]