Tamil Nadu’s Valparai tops Western Ghats villages for richness of threatened fauna | The Hindu
A GIS-based study by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) found Valparai, Tamil Nadu, to be the richest in threatened species among Western Ghats villages, with 98 species. Kerala topped the state-wise list with 354 species, followed by Tamil Nadu (274). The study mapped 512 species across 7,630 villages, highlighting the need for conservation efforts beyond protected areas, where many lesser-known species reside.
Climate change, habitat loss drive elephants to look for newer pastures | Mongabay
Climate change and habitat loss are driving elephants from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka into Andhra Pradesh, resulting in increased human-elephant conflicts. Between 2013-2024, 6,000 acres of croplands were damaged, leading to the deaths of 26 individuals and 21 elephants. Experts are calling for an inter-state conflict management plan to address the issue, as infrastructure projects and food shortages continue to push elephants into human-dominated areas.
Arunachal: Survey finds 36 elusive Snow Leopards, setting conservation milestones | India Today NE
A landmark survey by the Ministry of Environment, Forest,s and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and WWF-India revealed 36 snow leopards in Arunachal Pradesh, providing the first scientific estimates of their population. The study used camera traps and community interviews and highlighted threats like accidental killings, retaliatory hunting, and infrastructure development in snow leopard habitats. This marks a major step in snow leopard conservation in the state.
Shrinking habitat of markhor, the shy wild goat | The Tribune
The markhor (Capra falconeri) is a wild goat known for its distinctive spiralled horns and is facing threats from habitat loss, poaching, and climate change in Jammu and Kashmir. Conservation programs and local pastoralist communities are working together to protect the species although challenges from development and political instability are prevalent. Sustainable practices and wildlife-friendly infrastructure are key to preserving both the markhor and the region’s traditional livelihoods.
Long live the King Cobra(s): Scientists recategorise world’s longest venomous snakes into 4 distinct species, with one from the Western Ghats | Down to Earth
Scientists have reclassified the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) into four distinct species, including one endemic to the Western Ghats, which is important for conservation and toxicology research. This new classification enables more targeted protection efforts, especially for the vulnerable Western Ghats of India and Luzon of the Philippines populations, which are increasingly threatened by habitat loss and human activities.