Coral bleaching in Great Barrier Reef: Extreme heat, cyclones recede coral cover on 12 out of 19 surveyed reefs | Down to Earth
Extreme heat, cyclones, and flooding between December 2023 and March 2024 caused significant coral cover losses on 12 of 19 surveyed reefs in the northern Great Barrier Reef, with the Cooktown-Lizard Island sector experiencing a 39-year record decline. Surveys revealed 73% of reefs bleached, severely affecting fast-growing Acropora sp. and highlighting the reef's diminishing resilience against climate-induced disturbances.
Odisha: 659 Gaur Enumerated in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary | Republic World
The first-ever census of Gaur at Odisha's Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary recorded 659 individuals, including 30% juveniles, indicating a growing population. Conducted by 114 team members across 52 herds, the survey highlighted challenges like dense forests and limited visibility. Officials noted that the sanctuary’s nutrient-rich meadows and water bodies are key factors supporting this vulnerable species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
9th Amur Falcon Festival 2024 celebrated in Tamenglong with cultural richness | Imphal Times
The 9th Amur Falcon Festival in Tamenglong showcased wildlife conservation and cultural heritage through vibrant performances, student competitions, and awareness activities. Organisers highlighted the satellite tagging of two Amur Falcons and presented a documentary on their habitat. Leaders praised Tamenglong's global role as a protector of the species since 2015 and urged stronger conservation efforts and public engagement.
Odisha’s farmers grapple with wild elephant depredations during harvest season | Down to Earth
Farmers in Odisha face escalating human-elephant conflict as migrating herds from Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh damage crops and pose risks to human safety during the harvest season. Habitat loss due to mining and deforestation forces elephants into human settlements, with 76 elephant deaths and 755 human fatalities reported since 2019. Despite anti-depredation measures and inter-state coordination, delays in notifying elephant corridors exacerbate the issue.
New king cobra study makes hisss…tory | Mongabay
A new study led by P. Gowri Shankar reveals that the king cobra, previously thought to be a single species, comprises four distinct species: O. hannah, O. bungarus, O. kaalinga, and O. salvatana. The findings, based on genetic and morphological analyses, have significant conservation implications, with two species identified as highly endangered. This discovery also underscores the urgent need for habitat protection and species-specific antivenom research to ensure the survival of these iconic snakes.