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(January 17, 2024) The marine team at WCS-India participated in Sagar Mahotsav 2024, hosted by Aasamant Benevolence Foundation, Tarun Bharat, and MahaMTB at Gogate-Jogalekar College, Ratnagiri, from January 11 to 14, 2024. This event brought together a diverse community of ocean experts, educators, and students specialising in fisheries science, zoology, and botany. Dr. Anant Pande, Program Head for Marine Megafauna, delivered a talk on marine mammal conservation during the event, drawing an audience of app...

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(January 12, 2024) T.N. tests five survey methods in pilot study of Nilgiri Tahr population estimation | The Hindu The Tamil Nadu government conducted a pilot study to estimate the Nilgiri Tahr population using five survey methods in a conservation project launched by CM Stalin. The preliminary results suggest the drone survey method is promising, overcoming challenges, but mist conditions are a limitation. The final survey method will be chosen after statistical analysis, aiming to understand Tahr distribution...

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(January 05, 2024) India gears to use eDNA to identify, track wildlife | Mongabay The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) is pioneering the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to assess biodiversity, offering a promising tool for measuring wildlife, studying flora and fauna, and identifying hard-to-find species. This innovative approach also holds potential for providing crucial data on invasive alien species in India, with ZSI initiating a pilot project to explore the applications of eDNA in wildlife monit...

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(December 22, 2023) Study finds physical barriers restricting blue sheep gene flow | Mongabay A study in the trans-Himalayan region found that physical barriers are restricting the movement and gene flow of blue sheep populations in Ladakh and Lahaul-Spiti, Northern India. Experts are concerned about the long-term impact on the species' gene pool and suggest re-evaluating protected areas as a strategy to address this issue. Namdapha flying squirrel sighted in Arunachal | Nagaland Post The Namdapha fl...

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(December 15, 2023) Hangul population in Kashmir could go extinct without intervention, finds long-term study | Mongabay A long-term study reveals that the hangul population in and around Dachigam National Park, the sole viable group in the region, remains critically endangered despite protection, facing imminent extinction without intervention. Researchers advocate for conservation measures, including monitoring calf survival, removing feral dogs, minimising livestock presence, and restocking hangul in suitable...

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(December 08, 2023) Pythons return home, slowly but surely, finds a new study | Mongabay A recent telemetry study on Indian rock pythons in South India discovered their home range to be approximately four square kilometres, challenging previous assumptions about their habitat size. The research also highlighted variations in the mating season between rock pythons in the northern and southern regions of India, while earlier findings suggested that adult male pythons may be smaller than previously thought. Ho...

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(December 01, 2023) Saving India's only ape, the hoolock gibbon | Mongabay The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam, home to the endangered Western hoolock gibbon, faces a threat due to a railway track fragmenting its habitat. Future electrification plans pose an increased threat to the species navigating their habitat. Scientists advocate conservation through track rerouting and the installation of canopy bridges for the unique hoolock gibbon. How mothers built a forest in world’s largest delta ...

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(November 24, 2023) Bhutan, India and Nepal collaborate to counter wildlife trafficking in South Asia | The Telegraph India, Bhutan, and Nepal are collaborating to combat wildlife trafficking in South Asia through a nine-day Training of Trainers workshop organised by TRAFFIC India and WWF-India. The initiative, in partnership with the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, aims to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies in the region. The workshop covers topics suc...

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(November 17, 2023) Manipur conducts first census of Amur falcon- world’s longest travelling raptors | Hindustan Times Manipur Forest Department, in collaboration with Wildlife Explorer Manipur, conducted the first-ever census of Amur falcons, the world's longest-travelling raptors, in Tamenglong district, revealing 1.41 lakh birds, surpassing the expected 50,000. The initiative aimed to enhance conservation efforts through awareness programmes and study migration patterns using satellite-tagging. Fut...

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(November 10, 2023) Assam's Dehing Patkai plans extensive camera-trap study of five small wild cats in the region | Mongabay Assam’s Dehing Patkai National Park has a rich diversity of eight wild cat species and is initiating a camera-trap study to evaluate populations and occupancy of the five species of small wild cats. Threats such as oil and coal mining, illegal hunting, and logging necessitate conservation efforts. The study aims to provide data for formulating effective conservation strategies.&n...

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