Context: Scientists have identified as distinct new species of forest dwelling horned frog from Northeast India as Xenophrys apatani. This species was earlier misidentified as Maoson horned frog which is a native of Vietnam and China.
About new horned frog species (Xenophrys apatani)
(Image of Xenophrys apatani)
This species of frog is known for living amongst litter of tea leaves and sports a small horns.
It is dark brown in colour.
Found in Tale Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh.
This newly discovered horned frog has a strong resemblance to the Maoson's horned frog, which has a wide distribution in Vietnam and China.
This species was first identified in 2019 in Arunachal Pradesh but researchers confused with Maoson's horned frog despite the large geographical distance between Vietnam and North-East India.
The horned from species has been named after Apatani tribe which is found in the region around Tale Wildlife Sanctuary.
About Apatani Tribe
Apatani tribe predominantly reside in the Lower Subansiri Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, close to the Tale Wildlife Sanctuary.
The naming of the frog after the Apatani people is a recognition of this tribal group in conserving wild flora and fauna in the region.
Significant aspects about Apatani Tribes:
Terraced Paddy fields in Ziro Valley with innovative paddy-cum-fish cultivation system.
Apatani women wear nose plugs and face tattoo as a mark of identity within the tribe
(Terraced rice fish farming system practiced by Ziro Valley by Apatani Tribe)
Context: South India’s first and the country’s largest leopard safari was inaugurated by Karnataka Environment Minister at the Bannerghatta Biological Park.
Indian Leopard
Indian leopard is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent.
A leopard does not have any stripes.
It has spots peppered on its body.
A leopard can kill for the pleasure of killing by pouncing continuously on its prey.
The species Panthera pardus is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List
Leopards have survived outside protected areas in many parts of India since historical times.
Status of Leopards India report
India’s leopard numbers rose by 8% from 12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in 2022.
Highest number of leopards were reported in Madhya Pradesh (3,907).
Three other States reported over 1,000 animals each — Maharashtra (1,985), Karnataka (1,879) and Tamil Nadu (1,070).
Uttarakhand reported a 22% decline in the Leopard Population.
Odisha has witnessed a sharp decline in its leopard population — approximately one-fourth lost — primarily due to poaching between 2018 and 2022.
Leopard densities from both the tiger reserves (Similipal and Satkosia tiger reserves) in the State have increased significantly.
Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains recorded a 3.4% yearly decline.
Central India and Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats and hills of the northeast, and Brahmaputra flood plains recorded growth of 1.5%,1%, and 1.3% per annum respectively.
About 65% of leopard population is present outside protected areas in Shivalik landscape.
In Uttar Pradesh, both leopard and tiger numbers have increased.
Causes for Decline
According to the report, the biggest threats to the dwindling leopard population are poaching of prey for bush meat, targeted poaching for tiger and leopard skins and body parts.
Habitat loss due to mining and other human activities.
Road accidents are also a significant cause of leopard fatalities.
Bannerghatta Biological Park
Bannerghatta Biological Park, also known as the Bannerghatta Zoo, is a zoological garden located in the city of Bengaluru.
It was initially a small zoo and picnic corner within Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) which was started in 1974.
The bifurcation of the Biological Park and the National Park took place in 2002.
The Bannerghatta Biological Park covers a total area of 731.88 hectares and includes a zoo, safari park, butterfly park and rescue centre
Safari in Bannerghatta Biological Park
Following the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), visitors can view big cats spread over an area of 20 hectare with a 6.5-metre-high chain link net to ensure their safety.
As per guidelines given by the CZA, we have ensured that only hand-reared and zoo-born leopards are part of the safari
Context: The Maharashtra Forest department plans to translocate tigers from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) in the state's western region.
About Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is one of only five tiger reserves in the country — Kaval in Telangana, Kamlang in Arunachal Pradesh, Dampa in Mizoram and Satkosia in Odisha being the other four — with zero tigers within the reserve
STR spans Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and Ratnagiri districts in western Maharashtra.
The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is located in the Sahyadri Ranges of Western Ghats in Maharashtra.
These ranges from a common boundary between Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa, and comprise of rich evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
It is the first Tiger Reserve of Western Maharashtra and the fourth Tiger Reserve of the State spreading over two Protected Areas of Koyana Sanctuary (KWLS) and Chandoli National Park (CNP).
Approval and Planning:
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) approved the translocation plan in October 2023.
Waiting for final approval from the Union Environment Ministry.
Initially, a male tiger or a pair of male and female tigers will be translocated from TATR to STR.
Logistics and Implementation:
Special vehicle with misting provisions prepared for tiger transportation.
Tranquilization of tigers under Section 12 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Fieldwork pending final approval.
Significance for Conservation:
Vital for conserving tigers in the forests of the northern Western Ghats, serving as a wildlife corridor between Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Enables connectivity between tiger populations in various reserves.
Tiger is keystone species in grassland ecosystems, which helps to maintain ecosystem stability by maintaining the population of herbivorous animals (reduce burden on grassland from intense grazing activity).
Population and Threats:
No tiger evidence captured during 2022 population estimation in STR.
Recent camera trap evidence of a tiger within the reserve in December last year.
Threats to wildlife corridor from mining, road projects, and human settlements highlighted in 2023 tiger population estimation report.
Phase-II of Tiger Recovery Project:
Involves translocation of eight tigers - three males and five females.
Phase-I focused on habitat preparation, prey augmentation, forest protection, and building temporary enclosures for soft release.
Soft release strategy involves close monitoring of tigers in enclosures before releasing them into the reserve habitat.
Prey Augmentation and Sustainability:
Prey base augmented with Chital and Sambar deer from Katraj Zoo.
Prey base studies suggest the reserve can sustain a population of 10-12 tigers.
Senior scientist at Wildlife Institute of India, providing technical support to the Maharashtra Forest department, emphasizes the importance of prey base studies and cautious monitoring during the translocation process.
Context: The Baneshwar Village in the Cooch Behar region of West Bengal has a Shiva Temple built during the reign of Koch Dynasty in the 17th Century.
The temple pond is home to the critically endangered black softshell turtels, which the locals lovingly call ‘Mohan’. Recognising the close bond between the local population and with these turtles, Election Commission of India has adopted ‘Mohan Babu’ as its mascot to get people out to polling booths on April 19.
About Black Softshell Turtle
The black softshell turtle, also referred to as the Bostami turtle, holds a unique place in the realm of freshwater turtles.
Once considered a variant of other species such as the Indian softshell turtle or the Indian peacock softshell turtle, it has now been recognized as a distinct species.
Indigenous to the regions of India, specifically Assam and Tripura, as well as Bangladesh, notably Chittagong and Sylhet, this species has a rich history intertwined with cultural significance.
IUCN STATUS: Critically Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: No legal protection
Origins and Cultural Heritage
Legend has it that in the 1800s, Hazrat Bayezid Bostami brought these turtles from Iran to the Chittagong shrine pond.
These turtles, revered as sacred beings, garnered respect and reverence from the local populace.
Conservation Efforts and Discoveries
Declared extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2002, the black softshell turtle surprised researchers when populations were found in the Hayagriva Madhava Temple Pond in Assam and the Kalyan Sagar Lake in the Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur, Tripura, India.
Through concerted conservation measures and habitat protection, these turtles have managed to survive in the wild.
Scientific Insights and Continued Research
Their mitochondrial genome reveals connections to 19 other turtle species.
In phylogenetic trees, Nilssonia nigricans emerges as a sister species to Nilssonia formosa, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships.
Behavior
Hibernation takes place during the late autumn season until the spring for softshell turtles.
They bury themselves at the bottom of a river/lake in the mud.
Food is not as essential as oxygen during this period.
Oxygen is needed at a reduced rate than normal, and the turtles practice a technique called “pharyngeal breathing”.
This means that they pump water in and out of their throat (pharynx) that contain microvillus projections of small blood vessels.
This structure provides them with greater surface area to absorb more oxygen.
Whale Shark: Largest Shark Species in the World and also the world's largest living fish
About Sharks
'Shark' is used as an 'envelope term' and comprises true sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras (together comprising the class Chondrichthyes ie cartilaginous fish).
Sharks generally live in marine environments. However, species such as Bull Shark and River Shark can be found in both seawater and freshwater.
Apex predators: Most sharks are predators and top of the marine food chain and therefore known as tiger of oceans. They feed on wide variety of species. Examples tiger shark, blue shark etc.
Habitats: Sharks live fresh and intertidal waters to the open ocean, continental shelf and deep slope to ocean floor at depths of over 4,000 metres. Most shark species are found in temperate and tropical seas, but some species are also found in Arctic and Antarctic waters.
Shark landings: Estimated landings of sharks were around 0.69 million tonnes in 2019. Atlantic Ocean and its surrounding seas produce 40% of global shark catches followed by Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Blue sharks are by far the most common of dozen commercially important shark species captured.
Largest Shark: Whale Shark is a slow moving, filter feeding carpet shark and is the largest extant fish species in the world. They inhabit open waters of all tropical oceans. The feed almost exclusively on plankton and small fishes and pose no threat to humans.
Smallest Shark: Dwarf Lanternshark is the smallest shark species in the world. It has a maximum known length of around 20 cm. It is found at a depth of around 250-500 m in the Northern tip of South America and Caribbean Sea. Like other lantern sharks, dwarf lantern sharks, dwarf lantern shark has light emitting organs called photophores which help them camouflage and attracts its prey.
All species of Sharks were placed under Schedule-I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (Highest Protection).
Importance of Sharks in Marine Ecosystem
One of the oldest living organisms with an evolutionary history of over 400 million years. They predate dinosaurs.
Keystone species and apex predators of marine ecosystem
Keep prey population healthy by feeding on the sick and week members of their prey population.
Keep seagrass beds and other vital habitats healthy
Economic & Commercial importance of sharks
Shark meat: Sharks have been traditionally used as food in coastal areas. According to FAO, in 2019
Shark fins: Sharks fins are one of the most expensive fish products primarily used in preparing shark fin soup which is primarily consumed by Chinese ethnic groups in South East Asia and China.
Shark oil products: Traditionally shark's liver (Known as cod liver oil) was a rich source of Vitamin A. However, Vitamin A is manufactured.
Need for protecting sharks
Slow growth
Late age at maturity
Low fecundity and productivity (small, infrequent litters)
Long gestation periods
High natural survivorship for all age classes
Long life spans
Status of shark fishery in India
India is the third largest shark fishing nation after Indonesia accounting for 6% of global shark catches in terms of weight.
Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of sharks, followed by Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Most sharks harvested in India come from non-targeted mixed catch. However, targeted shark fisheries are found among Thoothoor fishermen of Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) and Veraval (Gujarat).
Shark meat is a local delicacy, especially in south India.
Major issues needing focus for Shark Conservation
Indications of decline in shark biomass and species diversity.
Sharks are associated fisheries and catch composition.
Inadequate monitoring, control and surveillance, including gaps in data collection and identification of species.
Fractured view of different stakeholder groups on the status of shark and acceptable conservation measures.
Research gaps covering areas of taxonomy, biological aspects, gear targeting sharks, real time data, distribution and socio-economic profit.
Lack of a holistic framework to address the above issues.
Purpose and scope of NPOA-SHARKS
Conservation and management of sharks and their long-term sustainable use.
NPOA Sharks aims to conserve and manage shark populations based on Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries.
'Sharks' are defined as all species in the class Chondrichthyes and includes sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras.
Applies to shark species found within India's EEZ and Territorial Sea, migratory species frequenting India's EEZ and Territorial Sea and species taken by India-flagged vessels fishing on the High Seas.
Bridge research and information gaps on the status of sharks at species level.
Understand socio-economic implications of conservation and management of sharks to design sustainable exploitation policies.
Managing negative impacts of shark fishing.
Proposed actions under NPOA-SHARKS
Do not promote direct catching of sharks till sufficient scientific evidence is there.
Implement comprehensive fisheries MCS plan at the earliest.
Identify and ascertain shark breeding grounds and shark breeding period and agree on conservation measures such as seasonal ban or specific area closures.
Initiate research to catalogue shark in Indian waters through genetic coding. Develop species specific indicators using fisheries and survey data.
Awareness drive among stakeholders, share research findings with fishermen and encourage fishermen and their associations to monitor and report shark catches.
Initiate research on value addition for sharks and share findings with the community.
Encourage ecotourism and reef shark diving.
Ensure effective implementation of fin-attached policy of the Government and initiate research on value addition for sharks and share the findings with the community.
Review shark export policy, encourage value addition.
Introduce logbook system; develop national shark identification kit; build awareness; mobilize fishermen association and build research skill in taxonomy as well as data collection skills of enumerators from agencies involved in data collection.
Review policy on reporting of catch of prohibited species or species protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; and encourage regional integration.
About Bay of Bengal Program - Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOB-IGO)
BOB-IGO is a unique regional fisheries body specifically mandated to assist the member countries to enhance cooperation and provide technical and management advisory services for sustainable marine fisheries development.
Objectives of the BOBP-IGO are to increase awareness and knowledge of the needs, benefits and practices of marine fisheries management; enhance skills through training and education; transfer appropriate technologies and techniques for development of the small-scale fisheries; establish regional information networking; and promote women's participation in marine fisheries value chain.
Member Countries: Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Non-contracting parties: Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand.
Context: Red Ant Chutney, locally known as Kai Chutney made by tribal people in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district has received Geographical Indication Tag in January, 2024.
About Kai Chutney
Kai Chutney is made with red weaver ants in Simlipal Tiger reserve by tribal's in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
The chutney has healing properties, boosts immunity, ensures nutritional security of the tribal people. Red Weaver Ants contain valuable proteins, calcium, zinc, vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, amino acids etc.
Red Weaver Ants are locally known as Kai Pimpudi in the region.
About Red Weaver Ants
Red Weaver ants form colonies with multiple nests in trees.
Each nest is made of leaves stitched together with silk produced by their larvae.
They reside in trees like mango, sal, jambu and jackfruit.
Red Weaver Ants consist of three categories of ants - Workers, Major Workers and Queens.
Workers and Major workers are mostly orange coloured with a size of 5-6 mm for workers and 8-10 mm for major workers with strong legs and large mandibles.
Queens are larger in size with 20-25 mm and green-brown colour.
They feed on small insects and other invertebrates like beetles, flies and hymenopterans. They do not sting but have a painful bite into which they can secrete irritant chemicals from their abdomens.
Context: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change released the report on Status of Snow Leopards in India during the meeting of National Board of Wildlife. The estimation of the Snow Leopards was done under the Snow Leopard Population Assessment (SPAI) Program. This is the first ever rigorous examination of snow leopard populations in India, employing advanced methods such as occupancy modelling and camera trapping.
About Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India
The Snow Leopard population in India has been estimated under the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) conducted between 2019-23.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is the National Coordinator for the SPAI program. The exercise was conducted by WII with the support of all snow leopard range states and two conservation partners (i) Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysusu (ii) WWF-India.
SPAI is the first ever scientific exercise that reports Snow Leopard population in India.
Snow Leopard population in India has been estimated to be 718 individuals.
The SPAI program covered 70% of potential snow leopard range in India of crucial snow leopard habitat across the trans-Himalayan region, including UTs of Ladakh and J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Total snow leopard range in India is estimated to be around 120,000 sq. km.
Estimated Snow Leopard population in different states: Ladakh (477), Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu & Kashmir (9). (Ladakh has highest number of snow leopards in India).
Estimated population of snow leopards in different states
Snow Leopard Range in India
About Snow Leopards
Scientific name of Snow Leopard is Panthera uncia.
They are also called the ‘ghosts of the mountains.
The snow leopard is the state animal of Himachal Pradesh.
Snow leopards are generally found at an elevation of 3,000 m to 5,200 m in India above the tree line. However, during winters, snow leopards may descend to lower elevations.
The snow leopard’s fur is white to brown and has black spots around its head and neck.
It preys on Himalayan Blue Sheep, Himalayan Tahr, Tibetan Argali and Himalayan Ibex etc.
Snow leopards are sparsely distributed in the high mountains of Central and South Asia in 12 countries of Central Asia, from southern Russia to the Tibetan Plateau, including Mongolia, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal.
Sixty percent of the geographic range of snow leopard falls in China, followed by Mongolia and India.
In India, it is found in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.
Listed in Appendix I of CITES which prohibits international trade in animal parts and products except under exceptional, non-commercial circumstances.
Key facts about Snow Leopard
Smallest of the big cats with tails that can be nearly as long as their bodies.
Perfect camouflage: Snow leopards have thick, smoky-gray fur patterned with dark gray open rosettes and spots. This helps them to blend perfectly with rocky slopes of their habitat. (Rosettes are large rings enclosing smaller spots). It is for this reason they are known as ghost of mountains.
Do not roar: They can only hiss, growl and prusten. They give a ‘main’ call described as ‘piercing yowl’. This is so loud; one can hear it over the roar of the river. Prusten, also known as chuffing, is a non-threatening vocalisation made by blowing through their nose while their mouth is closed.
Swift movers: Snow leopards are swift movers in a rugged terrain. They can travel for over 25 miles in a day and can jump as much as 50 feet in length.
Well-adapted to cold temperatures: The fur of this elusive species keeps them well insulated in cold weather.
Solitary: Snow leopards live a solitary life other than when they are mating. It is very rare to see two snow leopards together. Female snow leopards raise their kids alone for a period of 18 months after which the kids depart.
Feed: Snow leopards are carnivorous predators feed on Blue Sheep (Known as Bharal in India), Asiatic Ibex (a large wild goat), Argali (wild sheep species), marmots, pikas, deer and other small mammals.
Large range: Snow leopards have large home ranges of up to 1,000 sq. km.
Importance of Snow Leopard
Apex predator in the Himalayan ecosystem: As an apex predator, snow leopard regulates the prey population in a top-down fashion. Thus, influencing the ecological equilibrium of its habitat.
Biomarker of health of Himalayan ecosystem: A healthy and thriving population of snow leopard reflects the broader health and resilience of high-altitude alpine ecosystems in general and Himalayas in particular. The population estimation will also give a reflection of potential threats such as habitat degradation, climate induced shifts, besides human-wildlife conflicts.
Symbolic importance: Snow leopards holds cultural and symbolic importance for many communities living in the high-altitude alpine ecosystems in its range countries.
Protecting Snow Leopard can in turn help in the protection of alpine high-altitude ecosystems: Alpine high-altitude ecosystems are critical for source of perennial rivers for the Asian landmass and thus critical for the well-being of downstream populations.
Conservation steps taken for Snow Leopards
Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP):
This program aims for sustainable development of high-mountain development issues using the conservation of charismatic snow leopards as a flagship.
It is alliance of snow leopard range country governments and NGOs.
GSLEP was founded by 2013 Bishkek Declaration by 12 snow leopard range countries.
12 Snow Leopard range countries are: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. (India is party to this program).
Secretariat of GSLEP: Located in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
Initiatives under GSLEP
Population Assessment of the World’s Snow Leopards (PAWS): It is an initiative of GSLEP to develop a global snow leopard population assessment.
Secure 20 by 2020: This goal aims to identify and secure at least 20 healthy populations of snow leopards across the range of snow leopard (20 by 2020). Many of these populations will cross international boundaries. Criteria for defining healthy populations of snow leopards:
Representing at least 100 breeding age snow leopards
Containing adequate and secure prey populations.
Having connectivity to other snow leopard populations.
Under this, a total of 24 GSLEP landscapes have been identified for snow leopards across the snow leopard’s range. As part of identifying and securing snow leopard snow leopard GSLEP landscapes, India has identified three such landscapes: Hemis-Spiti, Nanda Devi – Gangotri, Khangchendzong – Tawang.
National Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Priorities: Each of the 12 Snow Leopard range countries have developed to align national snow leopard conservation strategies with global goals under GSLEP.
Project Snow Leopard:
This program was launched by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2009 for landscape restoration of snow leopard habitat conservation and implementation of participatory landscape-based management plans.
Dedicated areas for In-situ conservation of Snow Leopards in India:
India has notified three GSLEP Landscapes: Hemis-Spiti, Nanda Devi – Gangotri and Khangchendzong Tawang.
Three Biosphere Reserves with an area of 21,300 sq. km. – Cold Desert (Himachal Pradesh), Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand), Khangchendzong (Sikkim).
There are 57 Protected Areas (National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries) which covers 34% of snow leopard range in India.
Suggestions for snow leopard population restoration
The report offered some suggestions for better conservation of Snow Leopard population in India.
Establishment of Snow Leopard Cell at Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under the MOEFCC with a primary focus on long-term population monitoring, supported by well-structured study designs and consistent field surveys.
States and UTs in the snow leopard range can consider adopting a periodic estimation approach of snow leopards at an interval of every four years.
Bringing at least 70% of snow leopard habitat under legal protection. India has moved from an exclusive focus on protected areas to a collaborative landscape management for snow leopard population restoration.
Sensitising border guarding forces: Given that a significant portion of snow leopard habitat borders neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and China and is manned by Indian border guarding and security forces, it is essential to sensitise them and foster long-term cooperation for conservation of critical snow leopard habitats.
Landscape level management planning and coordination: There is a need for creating scientifically informed, collaborative and landscape-based management plans for our conservation efforts.
Context: Himalayan Wolf has been assessed for the first time in the IUCN's Red List as Vulnerable.
About Himalayan Wolf
Himalayan Wolf (scientific name: Canis lupus chanco) is a prominent lupine predator found across the Himalayas.
It is well adapted to cold environment and is found in alpine steppe and tundra habitats above 3,900 m on the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas.
Himalayan Wolf possesses genetic adaptations to cope with hypoxic conditions in their high-altitude habitats.
They are sympatric with snow leopards in large parts of their range. Both Wolves and Snow Leopards are apex predators in the high-altitude habitats with some degree of competition for prey resources.
Himalayan Wolf feeds on ungulates (Tibetan gazelle, Tibetan argali, blue sheep) and small mammals (Himalayan Marmot, Pika, Wolly hare) and livestock such as domestic yaks and goat.
The population size of Himalayan Wolf has been estimated to be 2,275-3,792 individuals by researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India. Of this, India has 277-378 individuals in its part of Himalayas.
Found in Tibet, Nepal and Indian Himalayas.
Locations where it is found in India: Ladakh (Ut of Ladakh), Spiti Valley (Himachal Pradesh), Uttarakhand and Sikkim.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Threats to Himalayan Wolf
Depredation conflict (Man-Animal Conflict)
Habitat modification and encroachment
Depletion of wild prey populations
Hybridisation with dogs
Illegal hunting for fur and body parts including paws, tongues, heads and other parts.
Distinction from Indian Wolf
Earlier the Himalayan Wold and Indian Wolf were considered to be the same species. However, in 2018 researchers confirmed that Himalayan or Woolly Wolf was a genetically unique clade/lineage/race of wolves.
Indian/Common/Peninsular Wolf is found in the plains and the Deccan Plateau.
Context: Geneticists and conservationists have joined forces to re-introduce the Dodo, extinct since the late 17th century.
About Dodo
It is a flightless birds that primarily inhabited the island of Mauritius.
Listed as extinct on IUCN Red List of species.
The lifespan of a Dodo bird was 10 to 30 years.
It was a large, plump bird covered in soft, grey feathers, with a plume of white at its tail.
It had small wings that were far too weak to ever lift the dodo off the ground.
The dodo's legs were short and stubby and yellow in colour.
The closest living relative of the dodo bird is the Nicobar pigeon, lives on the ground.
Initially, the Dodo's extinction was attributed to human overhunting, but recent research indicates that a combination of human actions and the introduction of animals like dogs, pigs, cats, rats, and macaques led to habitat destruction and nesting ground loss for the Dodo.
Genetic reintroduction of Dodo using Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering company Colossal Biosciences and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation are planning using genetic engineering and repopulate the Dodo’s in the island of Mauritius. Colossal Biosciences has sequenced the entire genome of dodo using DNA extracted from a skull in the collection of Natural History Museum of Denmark.
Scientists have found the primordial germ cells (PGCs) of Nicobar Pigeon (Dodo’s closest living relative). PGCs are basically embryonic precursors of a species sperm and egg. Nicorbar’s PGCs will be edited to express the physical traits of dodo. These edited PGCs will be then inserted into embryos of a sterile chicken and rooster, who will act as interspecies surrogates.
Context: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized 436 baby Indian Tent Turtles in Varanasi from a person illegal transporting them from Kanpur to West Bengal.
Image of Indian Tent TurtleLocations where Indian Tent Turtles are found
About Indian Tent Turtles
Indian Tent Turtle is a species of riverine freshwater turtle native to India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Males are smaller than females in size and have longer and thicker tails.
The size of the carapace ranges from 20 cm to 26.5 cm depending upon the subspecies.
Due to attractive appearance of the species, they are illegally traded in the pet market.
Habitat: Still water pools on river side and slow running water near the river banks.
These are active swimmers and are mainly herbivorous.
Indian Tent Turtles have three sub-species:
Pangshura tentoria: Occurs in peninsular India and is recorded in Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Madhya Pradesh.
Context: Conservationists have registered the first wild birth of two brown kiwi chicks in New Zealand in 150 years. This is being noted as a major success of conservation efforts.
About KIWIS
Kiwis are flightless bird’s endemic to New Zealand. They are national bird of New Zealand.
Kiwis are chiefly nocturnal animals and commonly forest dwellers.
The name is a Maori word referring to the shrill call of the male.
Approximately the size of a domestic chicken, kiwi are the smallest ratites (which also include ostriches, emus, rheas, cassowaries and the extinct elephant birds and moas).
Kiwi eggs are one of the largest in proportion to body size (up to 20% of the female's weight) of any order of bird in the world.
The closest relatives to today’s kiwi are the extinct elephant birds from Madagascar. They are also related to emus and cassowaries of Australia, and the extinct moa of New Zealand.
There are five species of kiwi and their IUCN status.
Brown kiwi (Vulnerable)
Great spotted kiwi/roroa (Vulnerable)
Little spotted kiwi (Near Threatened)
Rowi (Vulnerable)
Tokoeka (Vulnerable)
Kiwi can live for between 25 and 50 years. Chicks hatch fully feathered.
They emerge from the nest to feed at about five days old and are never fed by their parents.
Juveniles grow slowly, taking three to five years to reach adult size.
Distribution of Kiwis
Threats to Kiwis
The biggest threat to kiwi chicks is stoats, and to adult kiwi it's dogs.
Cats also kill kiwi chicks, and ferrets frequently kill adult kiwi.
Context:Antarctic krill (Euphausia suberba) fishing is banned in U.S. waters due to concerns that exploitation of Antarctic Krill could impact whales, seals and other animals that feed on the shrimp-like creatures. Krill fishing has been taking place for decades in Antarctica, where krill are most abundant.
About Antarctic Krill
Antarctic Krill are shrimp like crustaceans living the Southern Ocean.
It’s estimated that there are over 700 trillion adult individuals of Antarctic Krill.
Adult krill can live anywhere in the Southern Ocean – from the very surface layer to the seafloor, and from inshore areas to the deep open ocean.
Antarctic krill grow up to 6cm in length and can weigh 1 gram.
Antarctic krill (and other krill species) are bioluminescent, meaning they produce light. They are frequently found in such abundance that they colour the sea a reddish-brown. They may be small individually, but there is an estimated 400 million tonnes of Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean.
Antarctic krill aggregate in schools or swarms, where the density of the animal can be as high as 30,000 individuals per cubic metre.
Antarctic krill are a key species, supporting populations of penguins, seals, whales and other marine life.
Antarctic krill feed on phytoplankton (single celled marine plants), which absorb carbon dioxide. Krill then egests this carbon through their faecal pellets and by shedding their exoskeletons, which then both sink to the sea floor where some of the carbon gets stored away.
It is one of the most common species in its range and it is not at risk of endangerment or extinction.
