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(September 13, 2022) The report, ‘Illegal Trade of Marine Species in India: 2015-2021’, aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the illegal marine wildlife trade in India from 2015 to 2021. Publicly available online newspaper articles were collected and analysed by the Counter Wildlife Trafficking team of WCS-India. The report provides insights into the nature, volume and extent of illegal marine trade across the country. In addition, incidents involving illegal sea cucumber trade were further anal...

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(September 08, 2022) Southeast Asia’s big cats like their prey rare — as in really elusive | Mongabay A new study explains the importance of rare prey species like serows for tigers and clouded leopards in Southeast Asia. The population of these cats are threatened by the illegal wildlife trade and the snaring crisis, which also depletes the prey population. Notably, the finding refutes the belief that clouded leopards prefer arboreal prey or small deer. The insights also help inform efforts to bo...

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(September 02, 2022) Scientists find new bird species at South America's edge | Reuters In Diego Ramirez Islands, a remote pasture at the frigid top of South America, scientists have identified a new bird species - Subantarctic rayadito. The discovery brights to light the importance of studying the world's remote locations. Weighing 16 grams, this bird is brown in colour with black and yellow bands and a large beak. Based on genetic studies, scientists distinguished the bird from other rayadito specie...

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(August 25, 2022) Poaching of rhinos ‘shows encouraging decline but remains an acute threat’ | Independent Experts explain that the poaching of rhinos has witnessed an "encouraging" decline. However, it continues to remain a significant threat. A new IUCN report shows that conservation efforts and strengthened law enforcement has helped increase the populations of the Indian rhino and Javan rhino since 2017. In Africa, Global lockdowns and pandemic restrictions drastically reduced poa...

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(August 19, 2022) Soil conservation efforts prove a boon for spotted deer in Kawal reserve In Kawal Tiger Reserve, the population of spotted deer, chinkaras, blue bulls and other wildlife has multiplied, owing to improved habitat management and monitoring. According to forest officials, soil and moisture conservation methods and effective grassland management have majorly contributed to the retention of natural habitat in and around the reserve. Read more here.   Govt sanctions 13 projects ...

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(August 18, 2022) Counter Wildlife Trafficking Newsletter July 2022 In Focus Read more about these seizures in the News Scan section below.    ‘Wildlife Evidence Collection Kits’ gifted in support to the Telangana Forest Department On the occasion of International Tiger Day (29 July 2022), as part of the existing collaboration between Wildlife Conservation Society- India and Telangana Forest Department, we provided ‘Wildlife Evidence Collection K...

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(August 05, 2022) Six more wetlands in T.N. get Ramsar recognition Following the recent tagging of Pallikaranai, Pichavaram, and Karikili wetlands as Ramsar sites, six more wetlands in Tamil Nadu will now be protected by the Ramsar convention, an intergovernmental treaty. The state's total tally of Ramsar sites is ten. These wetlands are threatened by pollution and encroachment. Experts explain that an integrated plan and scientific measures are essential to ensure effective protection. Read more he...

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(July 30, 2022) Assam’s Barak Valley Will Soon Have Another New Wildlife Sanctuary Between the Barak river and the Sonali river in Assam, Barak Valley is geared up to welcome its second Wildlife Sanctuary - the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary. Spreading over 320 sq. km., the area is home to primates like slow loris, Assamese macaque, capped langur, hoolock gibbon and phayre’s leaf monkey. Read more here.   Herpetofauna survey records the presence of 60 species of amphibians, 7...

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(July 22, 2022) Zoological Survey of India scientists discover new eel species in West Bengal Scientists from the Zoological Society of India have discovered a new eel species in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal. Two specimens were collected from Petuaghat fishing harbour, and while marking them, one was found to be undescribed. It has been named Ariosoma Bengalense, connecting it to the state in which it was discovered. Read more here.   Why the famous Gir lion is hanging out by the...

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(July 15, 2022)   In past 3 months, Goa records 6 tiger sightings | Times of India    After a single tiger sighting in 2012-2013, the Goa forest department did not report any for the next few years until 2016. Now, there have been six tiger sightings in the past 3 months. A total of 20 tiger sightings were reported in Goa in 2021-2022. This is the highest number of tiger sightings recorded in Goa since the use of camera traps began. Read more here. Can unmarked individuals ...

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