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(March 02, 2025) We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Ajith Kumar, a distinguished wildlife biologist, mentor, and researcher whose work has profoundly shaped conservation science in India. With decades dedicated to studying small carnivores, primates, and forest ecology, his research provided invaluable insights into India’s rich biodiversity. Beyond his scientific contributions, he was a passionate educator, nurturing generations of conservationists through his role at institutions like the Wildl...

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(February 28, 2025) Hesaraghatta grassland now declared a reserve | Hindustan Times The Karnataka government has declared the Hesaraghatta grasslands near Bengaluru as the Greater Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve, recognising its rich biodiversity and role as a vital water catchment area. The reserve supports migratory birds, endangered species, and groundwater recharge, addressing both ecological and water security needs. The move is a significant step towards conserving grasslands, often overlooked ...

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(February 21, 2025) Leopards are adapting to central India’s urban jungle | Mongabay A study in central India examines how leopards in Indore and Jabalpur adapt to urban environments by modifying their habitat use and diet. Using camera traps, researchers identified key factors influencing leopard distribution. The study highlights the need for wildlife corridors, prey monitoring, and habitat preservation to minimise human-wildlife conflict. This dolphin sanctuary in Bihar is India’s first prote...

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(February 14, 2025) Global report stresses on role of wild animals, rewilding in wetland conservation | Deccan Herald The ‘Taking Animals into Account’ report highlights the critical role of wild animals in wetland conservation, biodiversity restoration, and climate resilience. A case study from India emphasises the Sarus crane’s ecological and cultural significance, noting its contribution to wetland health and small-scale farming. Conservation efforts in eastern Uttar Pradesh have safeguarded...

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(February 10, 2025) The following content is compiled from publicly available sources and does not represent the views of WCS-India. Reported species in seizure incidents may differ from actual occurrences due to challenges in verifying species identification, geographical differences, and varying levels of detail in local reporting. Please interpret this information within the newsletter with caution, as it may not always reflect precise or validated identification.  We collected and collated 65 illegal wi...

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(February 07, 2025) Drones take wildlife conservation to new heights | Mongabay Drones enhance wildlife conservation by aiding habitat surveys, animal tracking, and population estimation while reducing human effort and costs. Researchers highlight their role in studying elusive species and improving data accuracy. Challenges include battery limitations, high costs, and responsible usage to minimise wildlife disturbance. Tiger population in India increased by 30% over past two decades: NCBS study | The Hindu...

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(January 31, 2025) ⁠Increase in gibbon trafficking into India has conservationists worried | Mongabay Seizures of trafficked gibbons in India have increased, driven by rising demand for exotic pets, weak enforcement, and porous borders. Captured from the wild, their trade disrupts social structures, causes trauma, and leads to high mortality. Conservationists urge stricter law enforcement, better training, increased awareness, and repatriation of seized gibbons. Social media and growing wealth further fuel the ...

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(January 24, 2025) Seagrass mapping helps identify restoration potential | Mongabay A study in Tamil Nadu's Palk Bay mapped seagrass distribution, identifying healthy areas and those suitable for restoration. The research highlighted 270 hectares of unvegetated seafloor for potential restoration, stressing the importance of combining acoustics and ground-truthing techniques. It also called for eco-friendly restoration methods and stricter enforcement against damaging practices. This study contributes to eff...

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(January 17, 2025) New study proposes roadmap to conserve the clouded leopard | Mongabay A recent study highlights critical gaps in habitat suitability, fragmentation, and connectivity for the clouded leopard, offering a conservation roadmap. It identifies 18 transboundary wildlife corridors vital for genetic diversity, emphasising cooperation, protected area expansion, and reintroduction programmes to safeguard the species and maintain forest ecosystem stability. On the verge of vagrancy: What rare bird s...

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(January 16, 2025) The following content is compiled from publicly available sources and does not represent the views of WCS-India. Reported species in seizure incidents may differ from actual occurrences due to challenges in verifying species identification, geographical differences, and varying levels of detail in local reporting. Please interpret this information within the newsletter with caution, as it may not always reflect precise or validated identification.  We collected and collated 59 illegal wi...

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