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(August 20, 2024) Dr. Aaron Savio Lobo, head of the marine program at the Wildlife Conservation Society - India, organised a symposium titled “Advances in Global Research and Conservation of Sea Snakes” at the 10th World Congress of Herpetology, held from August 5-9. The symposium was co-organised by Dr. Vinay Udyawer of Sharks Pacific, Cook Islands, and Dr. Kate Sanders, Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide, both recognized as global authorities on sea snakes. Aaron serves as the ...

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(August 19, 2024) The following content is collected from public information and does not represent the views of WCS-India.   Fifty-six illegal wildlife trade incidents from various regions across the country have been collected using open-source intelligence (OSINT). The highest number of wildlife seizure incidents were reported from the states of Odisha (12), Maharashtra (8), and Tamil Nadu (8). Some of the commonly reported wildlife species in seizures were Asian Elephant, Leopard, Tiger, Parakeets, Mu...

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(August 16, 2024) Chhattisgarh to get new tiger reserve amid declining tiger population After a drastic drop in Chhattisgarh’s tiger population from 46 in 2014 to 17 in 2022, the state has officially approved the creation of a new tiger reserve, marking a significant step in tiger conservation efforts. Announced recently, the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve will be the third largest in India, spanning 2,829 sq km across four northern districts of the state. Almost the entire population of I...

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(August 09, 2024) Indian bioacoustics researchers boost wildlife conservation with exciting animal insights | Mongabay The podcast series ‘Wild Frequencies’ by Mongabay-India explores bioacoustics research through conversations with Indian scientists. In a recent episode, editor Shreya Dasgupta shares surprising insights, including the high-frequency sounds of urban bats and the nuanced calls of sarus cranes and Asian elephants. She emphasises that understanding animal sounds is crucial for effecti...

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(August 02, 2024) Increasing summer temperatures impacting birds in Indian cities | Mongabay Rising summer temperatures in Indian cities are severely impacting birds, causing dehydration, and disrupted feeding and reproduction behaviours. Urban heat islands and habitat loss exacerbate these effects, leading to increased bird rescues and illnesses. Experts stress the need for more research and adaptive conservation measures to protect bird populations amid ongoing climate change. Scientists discover six ne...

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(July 26, 2024) A Ladakhi podcast spurs conversations about wildlife and conservation | Mongabay Morup Namgail and Padma Rigzin launched the “Ladakh Si Podcast” to raise awareness about wildlife and conservation in Ladakh, using the local Ladakhi language to discuss topics like ecology, climate change, and human-wildlife conflicts. The podcast aims to engage the local community and younger generation, emphasising grassroots conservation efforts and cultural understanding. The second season will e...

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(July 18, 2024) The following content is collected from public information and does not represent the views of WCS-India. Forty-eight illegal wildlife trade incidents from various regions across the country have been collected using open-source intelligence (OSINT). The highest number of wildlife seizure incidents were reported from the states of Tamil Nadu (12), Odisha (6), and Uttar Pradesh (5). Some of the commonly reported wildlife species in seizures were Asian Elephant, Pangolin, Indian Softshell Turtl...

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(July 12, 2024) Central India's land-use patterns, roads fragmenting gaur & sambar populations, threatening genetic diversity | Down to Earth  A study by the National Centre for Biological Sciences revealed that land-use patterns and roads in central India are fragmenting gaur and sambar populations, threatening their genetic diversity. The research highlighted the need for evidence-based conservation efforts to maintain connectivity among fragmented populations and ensure the survival of these ...

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(July 08, 2024) From fear to fascination: More research and awareness to protect India's misunderstood spiders | Mongabay Spiders in India are crucial for pest control and ecosystem balance, yet remain understudied due to limited funding and focus. Myths and misinformation perpetuate fear, but citizen initiatives and awareness programmes aim to change perceptions and highlight their ecological importance. Increased research and public engagement are needed to better understand and conserve these misunder...

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(June 28, 2024) Lakshadweep worst-affected by coral bleaching on India’s coastline, scientists tell DTE | Down to Earth Lakshadweep has been the worst affected by the current global coral bleaching event, with 84.6% of its reefs experiencing bleaching due to elevated sea surface temperatures. This event is part of the fourth global coral bleaching event, the most severe on record, impacting over 70.7% of the world's coral reefs since January 2023. While the monsoon has slightly reduced water temper...

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