Odisha’s elephant population grows by 122 over seven years | The Hindu
Odisha's elephant population grew by 122, increasing from 1,976 in 2017 to 2,098 in 2024, with a 40% rise in tuskers, creating a healthy male-to-female ratio. Significant population increases were observed in divisions such as Angul, Athagarh, and Baripada, despite declines in other areas due to changing movement and foraging patterns. The census also noted that 584 elephants were counted in the state's three elephant reserves, indicating a stable and well-established population.
12 new sniffer dog squads to boost wildlife protection at tiger reserves in seven states | Times of India
Twelve new wildlife sniffer dog squads, trained under Trade Record Analysis of Flora and Fauna In Commerce (TRAFFIC) and World Wildlife Fund for Nature India's (WWF-India) wildlife sniffer dog programme, will be deployed in nine protected areas across seven states, including Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, to combat illegal poaching and wildlife trade. Trained at the Basic Training Centre, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force in Panchkula, these squads, along with their handlers, will enhance the protection efforts in tiger reserves in Uttarakhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
Rewilding in tiger reserves helps near-extinct vultures soar again | Times of India
To revive near-extinct vultures, 20 were reintroduced into Tadoba and Pench tiger reserves in Maharashtra as part of a rewilding programme by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). This initiative follows the 2006 ban on the drug Diclofenac, which caused a massive decline in vulture populations. Over the next year, 30 more vultures will be released across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, with efforts focused on habitat restoration, food availability, and creating vulture-safe zones.
New ant species discovered from Siang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh | The Hindu
Researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Environment and Ecology (ATREE) and the University of Florida discovered a new ant species, Paraparatrechina neela, in Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. This small, metallic blue ant is the first addition to its genus from the Indian subcontinent in 121 years. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of the region, which faces threats from large-scale infrastructure projects and climate change.
730 Lion-tailed Macaque in Sharavathi Valley LTM Sanctuary: Report | The Hindu
A report submitted to the Karnataka Forest Department reveals that 730 Lion-tailed Macaques (LTM) inhabit the Sharavathi Valley LTM Sanctuary and surrounding areas. Conducted by the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, the study highlights threats from anthropogenic activities and calls for interventions such as habitat restoration, population monitoring, and insulating power lines to prevent electrocution. The LTM, an endangered species endemic to the Western Ghats, faces significant habitat challenges due to agricultural expansion and developmental activities.