(June 25, 2020) Quite often as wildlife biologists or conservationists, we tend to forget about the interests of other humans. Especially if one is fresh off the boat equipped with a degree in biology and conservation. Conservation becomes all about saving whatever enigmatic flora, fauna or habitat that has caught the eye. It can easily blind one into not considering other denizens – the people – who are as much a part of the story as the species or habitat. It is easy to forget that people can be a...

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(June 15, 2020) Prakriti Srivastava is an officer from the Indian Forest Service, currently country director, Wildlife Conservation Society - India. In this interview with Aditi Phadnis, she discusses a host of challenges faced by those who want to conserve wildlife, including the animal-human conflict.Illustration by Binay SinhaThe horrific incident in which an elephant died in Kerala recently has once again brought to the fore the conflict between animals and humans. The bestiality of this attack has shocked ...

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(June 11, 2020) By Ramya Roopa SengottuvelTrade in wildlife has existed for decades. However, trafficking is no longer synonymous only with illegal trade in big charismatic fauna or their parts, such as the pelts of big cats, rhino horns, elephant ivory and so on. Several animal and plant species – newer, rarer and barely known, have come to enter and dominate illegal markets, both nationally and internationally. Like other trade industries, trends in the type and quantity of the commodity traded (a speci...

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(June 05, 2020) Artificial Intelligence has given computers vision. It is now giving conservationists the “ears” they need. Recognizing endangered species by their call in the wild is a critical element in conservation efforts. Unlike vision, sound can be used to track them even if the animals are camouflaged and irrespective of the direction where they are located. Also, sound travels a long distance in the wild. This means that tracking by sound can work even in areas that are difficult to access....

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