Similipal Tiger Reserve needs special armed force to protect its fauna | The New Indian Express
Amid a string of poaching incidents, two back-to-back killings of forest officials by poachers in Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) have exposed the vulnerability of frontline staff in the biggest tiger habitat of the state and the crying needs for the deployment of armed forces. Though STR has its own tiger protection force ‘STPF’, sources said it has not been of much help in countering poaching activities in the tiger reserve. Moreover around 30 out of its 81 positions are lying vacant. Experts attribute the lack of adequately trained professionals in the force to be one of the key reasons for its ineffectiveness in carrying out strong anti-poaching activities.
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Six eggs of endangered bird washed away in UP; 4 at risk | Hindustan Times
Six Indian Skimmer eggs laid beside a barrage in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor were washed away on Thursday due to the strong flow of water from the dam, said conservationists who were observing the endangered bird, warning that four hatchlings who survived are now at risk of being submerged unless authorities limit the flow from the reservoir. Birders and conservationists in Bijnor, who were keeping a watch on the nesting birds, said this is the second time the rare bird’s eggs were washed away from the barrage, built on the Ganga, in a month, after a current swept away 20 eggs in May.
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Human-gaur conflict incidents are on the rise in western Maharashtra | Hindustan Times
Human-Indian gaur conflict incidents are on the rise in western Maharashtra due to habitat encroachment and infrastructure development. At least 13 Indian Gaur RESQ missions were undertaken in the last 2.5 years, posing a risk to both humans and gaurs. Wildlife experts suggest promoting awareness and understanding to foster peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife beyond protected forest areas. Factors such as climate change, shifts in agricultural patterns, and rapid urbanisation have contributed to an increase in human-gaur interactions.
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New spider species named after Keralite arachnologist | The Hindu
Researchers of the Centre for Animal Taxonomy and Ecology (CATE), Christ College, Irinjalakuda, have discovered a new spider species belonging to the wolf spider family (Lycosidae) from the Wayanad forests. The new species has given the name Draposa Sebastiani to honour the late arachnologist P.A. Sebatian. Dr. Sebastian was the pioneer spider taxonomist from Kerala, who founded an exclusive spider research centre at Sacred Heart College, Thevara, authored numerous scientific articles and books, and trained many arachnologists.
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