(August 25, 2022) Poaching of rhinos ‘shows encouraging decline but remains an acute threat’ | Independent Experts explain that the poaching of rhinos has witnessed an "encouraging" decline. However, it continues to remain a significant threat. A new IUCN report shows that conservation efforts and strengthened law enforcement has helped increase the populations of the Indian rhino and Javan rhino since 2017. In Africa, Global lockdowns and pandemic restrictions drastically reduced poa...

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(August 19, 2022) Soil conservation efforts prove a boon for spotted deer in Kawal reserve In Kawal Tiger Reserve, the population of spotted deer, chinkaras, blue bulls and other wildlife has multiplied, owing to improved habitat management and monitoring. According to forest officials, soil and moisture conservation methods and effective grassland management have majorly contributed to the retention of natural habitat in and around the reserve. Read more here.   Govt sanctions 13 projects ...

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(August 18, 2022) Counter Wildlife Trafficking Newsletter July 2022 In Focus Read more about these seizures in the News Scan section below.    ‘Wildlife Evidence Collection Kits’ gifted in support to the Telangana Forest Department On the occasion of International Tiger Day (29 July 2022), as part of the existing collaboration between Wildlife Conservation Society- India and Telangana Forest Department, we provided ‘Wildlife Evidence Collection K...

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(August 05, 2022) Six more wetlands in T.N. get Ramsar recognition Following the recent tagging of Pallikaranai, Pichavaram, and Karikili wetlands as Ramsar sites, six more wetlands in Tamil Nadu will now be protected by the Ramsar convention, an intergovernmental treaty. The state's total tally of Ramsar sites is ten. These wetlands are threatened by pollution and encroachment. Experts explain that an integrated plan and scientific measures are essential to ensure effective protection. Read more he...

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(July 30, 2022) Assam’s Barak Valley Will Soon Have Another New Wildlife Sanctuary Between the Barak river and the Sonali river in Assam, Barak Valley is geared up to welcome its second Wildlife Sanctuary - the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary. Spreading over 320 sq. km., the area is home to primates like slow loris, Assamese macaque, capped langur, hoolock gibbon and phayre’s leaf monkey. Read more here.   Herpetofauna survey records the presence of 60 species of amphibians, 7...

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(July 22, 2022) Zoological Survey of India scientists discover new eel species in West Bengal Scientists from the Zoological Society of India have discovered a new eel species in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal. Two specimens were collected from Petuaghat fishing harbour, and while marking them, one was found to be undescribed. It has been named Ariosoma Bengalense, connecting it to the state in which it was discovered. Read more here.   Why the famous Gir lion is hanging out by the...

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(July 15, 2022)   In past 3 months, Goa records 6 tiger sightings | Times of India    After a single tiger sighting in 2012-2013, the Goa forest department did not report any for the next few years until 2016. Now, there have been six tiger sightings in the past 3 months. A total of 20 tiger sightings were reported in Goa in 2021-2022. This is the highest number of tiger sightings recorded in Goa since the use of camera traps began. Read more here. Can unmarked individuals ...

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(July 14, 2022) Counter Wildlife Trafficking Newsletter June 2022 In Focus CITES is an international agreement between sovereign states aimed at ensuring that the international trade in specimens of wild plants and animals does not threaten their survival.  The parties to the convention will decide through voting on the amendments to Appendices I and II at the Conference of Parties held once every two to three years. For the next COP meeting, COP19 which will be held in Panama City in N...

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(July 08, 2022) 1,197 sq km of land in Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari declared as Agasthiyarmalai Elephant Reserve The Union Environment Ministry has cleared a proposal, declaring 1,197 square kilometres of land in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari as Agasthiyarmalai Elephant Reserve. Once notified, the forest department will gain access to additional funding under the centrally sponsored Project Elephant. This will be Tamil Nadu's fifth elephant reserve. Read more here. Dimming the glow of firefly fes...

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(July 06, 2022) Written by Advaith Jaikumar | Edited by Dipti Humraskar An Asian elephant takes a stroll through a forest in India | Image: Sachin Rai Key Highlights: A new study finds that Asian elephants are ingesting a large amount of human-generated waste, including plastic of varied sizes. Scientists examined elephant dung samples to quantify ingestion of plastic. Plastic waste is found in landfills near forest fringes, where elephants often forage. Elephants carry this plastic int...

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