(May 17, 2024) Leopard cat sighted in Maharashtra’s Pench Tiger Reserve for first time | ThePrint A leopard cat has been sighted for the first time in Maharashtra's Pench Tiger Reserve, identified through camera trapping near Narahar village. This discovery, marking the species' first recorded presence in central India, underscores the importance of studying animal distributions for comprehensive conservation efforts. Leopard cats are known for their 'adaptive flexibility' and are rest...

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(May 10, 2024) Saving Asia’s fishing cat means protecting threatened wetland habitat | Mongabay The fishing cat, uniquely adapted to life in wetlands, faces a range of threats across Asia including habitat loss and hunting, leaving it vulnerable. Conservation efforts aim to raise awareness, mitigate threats, and fill knowledge gaps linking its protection to equally threatened wetlands. Initiatives like the Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance foster collaborations to safeguard both the cat and its vital ...

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(May 09, 2024) On 7th May 2024, WCS-India was invited to Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru to host a session titled "BlueMAP-India: Marine Museum, Awareness, Policy for Conservation Outreach". The speakers touched upon WCS-India's science communication efforts, and highlighted India's marine life, habitats, and conservation policies through interactive quizzes. Anukriti Shaw (Social Media Coordinator, Communications and Outreach) talked briefly about ...

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(May 09, 2024) WCS-India's Counter Wildlife Trafficking team members Kritika Balaji, Priya Poonia, and Aristo Mendis attended the United for Wildlife India Chapter Launch from 22nd  -  24th April 2024. The event aimed to bring together key stakeholders from the finance and transport sectors, NGOs, and law enforcement to coordinate efforts against wildlife trafficking. The United for Wildlife (@unitedforwildlife) regional network in India aims to combat Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT). By faci...

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(May 09, 2024) On 13 March 2024, WCS-India in partnership with Christ University (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, hosted a workshop titled "Bridging Science and Society for Conservation." Vanishree Naik (Intern, WCS-India and ATREE Master’s Programme) talked about the role of radio collaring and camera trapping in wildlife research, shedding light on significant projects and discoveries. Virat Singh (Consultant, WCS-India and ASAR) touched upon the importance of sensitive media reporting t...

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(May 03, 2024) Tamil Nadu, Kerala to count Nilgiri tahrs in first synchronized survey from April 29 | The Hindu The Forest Departments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala are jointly conducting a synchronised census to assess the population of the Nilgiri tahr using advanced survey techniques. This extensive initiative engages 700 individuals and aims to provide valuable baseline data for conservation efforts. The survey covers contiguous habitats in both states, focusing on areas with significant tahr populations, wi...

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(April 19, 2024) Kyasanur Forest Disease: A ticking health bomb in the Western Ghats | Mongabay Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is a tick-borne illness that poses a significant threat in the Malenadu region of Karnataka and neighbouring states along the Western Ghats due to conducive environmental conditions and human activities like deforestation. The withdrawal of KFD vaccine as the primary defence against the disease has left residents and health workers vulnerable to its spread, exacerbating the urgency of ...

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(April 12, 2024) Delhi forest dept to create SOP to tackle leopards in urban spaces | Hindustan Times  The Delhi Forest Department plans to establish a standard operating procedure (SOP) to manage leopard encounters in urban areas after an incident in Jagatpur. They plan to conduct sensitisation programs across Delhi, starting with training for forest staff. The aim is to educate locals in identifying leopards and appropriate measures to take, emphasising the dangers of provoking or attacking them to pre...

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(April 05, 2024) Dr. Aaron Savio Lobo and Dr. Avadhoot Velankar from WCS-India's Marine Programme participated in the national consultative workshop on the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME Phase 2) project held in Chennai from 21st to 23rd March 2024. It was jointly organised by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organization (BOBP-IGO) and IUCN, and supported by GOI, FAO, GEF, and NORAD.  Over 80 stakeholders from various government units and NGOs came together to share i...

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(April 05, 2024) Walls come down to make way for elephants | Mongabay Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. (NRL) is demolishing its boundary wall in Deopahar, Assam following a Gauhati High Court order to restore an elephant corridor. The wall's obstruction has sparked a decade-long legal battle, with environmental activists like Rohit Choudhury advocating for its removal. The victory is hailed as a significant win for wildlife conservation, allowing free movement for elephants and preserving the biodiversity of the ...

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