(December 06, 2024) African openbill stork makes a rare visit to Kerala’s kole fields | The Hindu The African openbill stork has been officially added to India’s bird species, increasing Kerala's avian diversity to 558 species. Spotted by birdwatcher Subin K.S. in the Kanjani Kole fields, this marks the first recorded sighting of the African openbill in Kerala. Native to Africa, the species was previously recorded in Oman and Saudi Arabia within the Asian subcontinent, but its presence in India w...

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(November 29, 2024) No-fuss approach to food helps golden jackals thrive | Mongabay A study on golden jackals reveals their adaptability through a diverse diet helping them survive in varied habitats and higher altitudes. This adaptation is influenced by climate change and the availability of food. Scat analysis in Kashmir’s Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary highlights their reliance on animal matter and human leftovers, emphasising their ecological role and the need for research on interactions with other meso-p...

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(November 22, 2024) 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...

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(November 15, 2024) Second tigress from Tadoba reaches Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha | The New Indian Express A second tigress from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) has been translocated to Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha to enhance genetic diversity and bolster its tiger population. The three-year-old tigress, radio-collared and under observation, will be soft-released into an enclosure before its eventual release into the wild. STR authorities plan to relocate four more tiger...

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(November 08, 2024) 25 out of 75 tigers in Ranthambore National Park missing over last year, say officials | The Hindu Ranthambore National Park has reported 25 of its 75 tigers missing over the past year, marking the highest number recorded within such a period. A committee has been formed to investigate potential park management lapses, with monitoring gaps and overcrowding issues identified as contributing factors. The committee will deliver its findings in two months, while efforts to reduce pressure on the ...

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(November 06, 2024) We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Satish G. Nagathan, a cherished member of our WCS-India family. His dedication and expertise brought depth to a range of research activities including camera trapping, line transects, large-scale occupancy surveys, and social surveys across landscapes. Satish also used his creative skills and made a lasting impact on our Communications and Outreach efforts by creating compelling Kannada content that strengthened our connection with local communit...

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(October 28, 2024) Tigress’ 400-km journey from MP to Chhattisgarh reveals two safe corridors A tigress traveled approximately 400 km from Madhya Pradesh’s Pench Tiger Reserve to Chhattisgarh’s Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, demonstrating the functionality of critical tiger corridors. This movement, identified by the Wildlife Institute of India, suggests that conservation efforts, including anti-poaching patrols and the NH-44 mitigation plan—an elevated highway with wildlife underpasses&mdash...

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(October 25, 2024) The Student Conference on Conservation Science (SCCS) - Bengaluru, held from October 21-24 at the J N Tata Auditorium, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, brought together students, post-docs, and early-career professionals in conservation from across the natural and social sciences. The event featured a range of conservation-focused workshops, plenary talks, student posters and oral presentations, and interactive activities. Members of the WCS-India team actively participated, en...

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(October 18, 2024) Tamil Nadu’s Valparai tops Western Ghats villages for richness of threatened fauna | The Hindu A GIS-based study by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) found Valparai, Tamil Nadu, to be the richest in threatened species among Western Ghats villages, with 98 species. Kerala topped the state-wise list with 354 species, followed by Tamil Nadu (274). The study mapped 512 species across 7,630 villages, highlighting the need for conservation efforts beyond protected areas, where many lesser-...

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(October 11, 2024) State Board of Wildlife approves proposal to declare Bengaluru's Hesaraghatta grassland into conservation reserve The State Board of Wildlife (SBWL) has approved the proposal to declare the 5,000-acre Hesaraghatta grassland as a conservation reserve, safeguarding the area's ecology and catchment zones. This decision follows a 2021 rejection, which was overturned after a court order. The restrictions are focused on reducing disturbance from visitors while safeguarding the local village...

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