The high-tension transmission line project in South Kodagu district in Karnataka continues to be surrounded by controversy as wildlife experts unanimously voice their opinions against the project. The proposed 400 kV high-tension line will pass through forests and coffee estates in the Kodagu district, which has been identified by the UNESCO as a sensitive bio-diversity […]
Rare Egyptian Vulture Held Captive by Villagers Rescued and Released into the Wild
Prompt action by volunteers of an NGO following a tip-off about a rare Egyptian Vulture being held in captivity led to its rescue and subsequent release into the wild. The incident happened in the Darend area of Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. Egyptian Vultures are classified as Endangered. Egyptian Vulture A team of volunteers […]
Image of the Day: Bar Headed Geese, Himachal Pradesh
The Bar headed Geese (Anser indicus) reach extreme heights when they migrate over the Himalayas. To be able to do this, the birds have adapted to flying at altitudes where oxygen levels and temperatures are both extremely low. Flying higher than the Mount Everest, these birds are the highest flying birds in the world. Seen […]
Critically Endangered Gharials Tagged in Hope of Saving the Species
In an initiative to restock the numbers of critically endangered (CR) Gharials (Gavialus gangeticus) in the wild, six captive-bred gharials have been satellite-tagged and released into the the River Gandak, bordering the Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar. This is the first time that the rare species have been satellite-tagged. The program was undertaken by the […]
Image of the Day: White throated Fantail Flycatcher, Karnataka
A small passerine bird, the white throated fantail Flycatcher is found in India, Bangladesh and Indonesia. They lay up to three eggs in a small cup shaped nest which is plastered efficiently with cobweb. More Related Stories, Once Plenty Now Endangered: Expert Points to Plight of Grassland Birds Which is the Heaviest Flying Bird in […]
14 Species of Unusual Dancing Frogs Discovered in Western Ghats
They can rightly be called the dancing frog prince trying to charm their princesses. Scientists have discovered 14 unique species of frogs from World Heritage Site Western Ghats that can dance! The male of the species show a unique breeding behaviour called foot-flagging that leads to an interesting ‘dance routine’ and helps them attract the […]
Tiger Pugmarks Found In Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary
In an interesting discovery, forest officials conducting a tiger and co-predator survey in the Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Keonjhar district of Odisha found Royal Bengal Tiger (RBT) ‘pugmarks’ in the area. The exercise, which was part of an all-India survey, was carried out in various forests in the state in March, and the data collected […]
Image of the Day: Spotted Owlet
A small brown owl with white overall spots, the Spooted Owlet (Athena brama) has prominent yellow eyes and white eyebrows. It is found commonly across the Indian subcontinent and though nocturnal might also be sometimes seen at daytime peeping out of tree hollows. It’s close cousin Forest owlet (Athena blevitti) is a Critically Endangered species […]
Once Plenty Now Endangered: Expert Points to Plight of Grassland Birds
Two species of birds that were found in plenty around Nashik in Maharashtra, the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) and the Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus),are now feared to be extinct from the region. Seven other bird species have been classified as “highly endangered” by the Nature Conservation Society of Nashik (NCSN). The Great Indian Bustard […]
Image of the Day: Pakhal Lake, Andhra Pradesh
Situated about 70 kms from Warangal, this huge manmade lake is enveloped by forested hills. Set around the lake is Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over an area of 900 sq. km Leopard, sambar, nilgai, sloth bear, chital, chowsingha (four-horned antelope) , chinkara (mountain gazelle), blackbuck, wild boar are some of the wild species found here. […]
Orphaned Bear Cubs Released into the Wild In Assam
Three popular festivals in India’s North eastern state Assam – Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Magh Bihu celebrated in January saw three Asiatic black bear cubs (Ursus thibetanus) end up in the IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) rehabilitation center in Kokrajhar. Raised by humans without their mother’s care, the rescued bear cubs have now […]