Commencement of Habitat Survey for Africa's Cheetahs in India

A cheetah being photographed in Africa

The cheetah reintroduction project in India has begun with a survey to find a suitable habitat for Africa's cheetahs. M.K Ranjitsinh, former director of Wildlife Preservation of India, stated that the survey has been initiated by a team of researchers under the supervision of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). Dr. Ranjitsinh is part of a three-member committee formed at the order given by the Supreme Court early this year. The two other members are WII director Dhananjai Mohan and the Deputy Inspector General (Wildlife) at the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The ministry has authorized a total of Rs. 2.5 crore to the WII for the cheetah project. A WII report written by Dr. Ranjitsinh and big cat expert Y.V Jhala ten years ago examined the possibility of cheetah reintroduction in the following protected areas: 

• Sanjay and Guru Ghasidas National Parks and Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary (Chhattisgarh) 
• Kuno Palpur, Nauradehi, and Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuaries (Madhya Pradesh)
• Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh) 
• The Shahgarh Landscape and Desert National Park (Rajasthan)

According to the report, the authors suggested Kuno Palpur and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuaries and Shahgarh Landscape for the reintroduction. They further added that all three sites need preparation and resource contributions to start an introduction. They also emphasized the need for long-term political will, personnel, and resources from both central and state governments to successfully carry out this project. The protected areas in Chhattisgarh, on the other hand, were ruled out due to issues like low prey densities. 

A view of Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary

The report evaluated Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary to have a current capacity to maintain 27 cheetahs. However, the authors pointed out that combining neighboring forested areas to the sanctuary can accommodate 32 individuals. In addition, the surrounding 3,000 sq. km habitat can be maintained as a buffer to the sanctuary. This way, the location can hold distribution of 70 cheetahs. The authors also advised designating 750 sq. km as a core area of Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and relocating 23 human settlements from the area with generous and proper compensation. This would allow the sanctuary to accommodate over 50 cheetahs as a source population, while the entire landscape could support over 70 individuals. The Shahgarh Landscape was also found to be an ideal location for cheetahs. Because it is fenced along the Indo-Pakistan border, the authors suggested it to be fenced off by building another 140 km-long chain-link fence to include roughly 4,000 sq. km of habitat. They also recommended relocating local people from 80 seasonally used settlements. They also mentioned that the area could accommodate 15 cheetahs and has the capacity to support 40 individuals with further habitat management.

A view of sand dunes in Desert National Park

I find it to be a major news that a habitat survey has begun for reintroducing the cheetah in India. To me, it indicates the first step in the country's cheetah reintroduction project. I'm equally impressed that the WII report written by Dr. Ranjitsinh and Dr. Jhala in 2010 has been mentioned in this news. This report has given detailed information about the cheetah reintroduction project, including the identified sites of release. One of those sites is Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary, which also happens to be the release site for Asiatic lions. Dr. Ranjitsinh assured that there would not be any conflict between cheetahs, lions, and tigers in the sanctuary. However, I still think it is crucial to closely monitor the cheetahs to see how well they are adjusting with their larger feline counterparts. Rajasthan's Desert National Park and Shahgarh Landscape are, without question, ideal habitats for cheetahs outside Africa. The area encompassing these two sites is made up of sweeping sand dunes much like the ones in Namibia, from where cheetahs will be brought. Both the sites are home to the chinkara (Indian gazelle), which historically was an ideal prey for the cheetah in India. However, the state chief wildlife warden Arindam Tomar expressed his concern over the growing tension between India and Pakistan with Shahgarh Landscape situated along the border. I think it is highly essential to tackle this volatile situation to ensure proper safety for cheetahs before releasing them. I also think it is crucial to take measurements to deal with situations like poaching, which is attributed to low prey densities in Chhattisgarh's protected areas. These sites were home to cheetahs and they continued to survive there until after India gained its independence. Overall, I find this news gives a sense of optimism in bringing the cheetah back to India and let us see what happens later.

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Alleviation of Poverty and Unemployment Essential in Fighting Poaching in South Africa

A pair of white rhinos - one dehorned to discourage poachers - in Kruger National Park. 

Whenever there are incidences of poaching, the typical response is to investigate the crime scenes, identify the suspects, arrest the suspects, and convict them. In addition, strict laws are implemented to warn people of the consequences of poaching. However, what most people overlook is that it is connected to poverty and unemployment in countries where poaching is rampant. This was seen in an interview conducted by TRAFFIC. The interview was geared at 73 people from South Africa's correctional institutions. Many of them were youngsters with less than high school education, who admitted to have participated in the illegal wildlife trade due to unemployment and peer pressure. One interviewee claimed that he could earn more by selling two rhino horns than what most people in his community earn in a whole year. Another explained his involvement due to his legal job being seasonal. In the midst of restricted opportunities and very unequal society, the interviewees had noticed that the people with the money are the ones who had engaged in the illegal wildlife trade. Furthermore, none of these youngsters were ever informed about the severity of penalties towards poaching. This was seen when one interviewee explained how he thought he would serve only six months for rhino poaching, but ended up serving ten years.

A tracker dog and its handler at the Kruger National Park K-9 Center. 

It really disturbs me how youngsters are becoming involved in illegal poaching in order to make ends meet. These kids are forced to give in to peer pressure, due to high levels or poverty and unemployment in South Africa. This study conducted by TRAFFIC should be taken into serious consideration in efforts to mitigate poverty and unemployment in the country. Just enforcing anti-poaching laws followed by arresting and convicting poachers alone will not alleviate poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. South Africa is infamous for having the highest economic inequality in the world. The high levels of poverty and unemployment are directly linked to the country's high crime rate. Criminals consist of not just adults, but youngsters too. It is highly essential to conduct large-scale awareness programs targeted at the local youth. These programs should be designed to educate them about poaching and illegal wildlife trade and what they should do in order to help mitigate them. I also strongly urge the South African government to conduct measurements to alleviate poverty and unemployment in the country as a whole. This includes eliminating corruption and guaranteeing that wildlife officers and other authorities are properly paid for their work in ensuring safety for both people and wildlife.

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Ganges River's Plastic Pollution Needs to be Mitigated

Waste fishing gear

A recent research study has shown that waste fishing gear in the Ganges River is threatening the wildlife. The study has stated that entanglement in the gear can harm threatened species such as the Ganges river dolphin and the critically endangered three-striped roofed turtle. Surveys from the Himalayas to the mouth in Bangladesh indicated that waste fishing gear levels were highest near to the sea. The most common type of fishing gear recorded were nets. The local fishermen disclosed that large amounts of fishing equipment are being dumped into the river. The reason for this is because of short gear lifespans and scarcity of proper waste disposal systems. This study was led by researchers from University of Exeter with an international team of researchers from India and Bangladesh. It was carried out as part of the National Geographic Society's "Sea to Source: Ganges" expedition. The researchers used a list of 21 river species of "conservation concern" recognized by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). They combined current information on entanglements of similar species worldwide with the new information of waste fishing gear levels in the Ganges to evaluate which species are at most risk. According to Dr. Sarah Nelms of the Center for Ecology and Conservation, the fishermen would try to mend and reuse the nets if possible; but if they are unable to, then they discard them in the river. Professor Heather Koldewey, a National Geographic Fellow and co-leader of the expedition, stated that the study's data brings hope for solutions based on a "circular economy."

An illustration of the three-striped roofed turtle

I really think that the findings made by this expedition should be taken into serious consideration. The Ganges River is threatened by pollution in the form of discarded nylon fishing gear, which local fishermen are unable to mend. It is highly crucial to raise awareness of the environmental impact waste fishing gear can have on the Ganges, especially with the local view that the river "cleans it away." It is equally essential to set up waste disposal systems to properly dispose of unusable fishing gear. Furthermore, I strongly believe it is necessary to establish a series of recycling programs geared at turning nylon into other useful products. This would not only decrease plastic pollution, but provide income to the local communities along the Ganges. Professor Koldewey gave an example of how such a project was conducted in the Philippines and turned out successful. The plastic pollution in the Ganges is a complex problem which requires several solutions to benefit both communities and the wildlife. Among the wildlife is the three-striped roofed turtle, which is a critically endangered species on the brink of extinction and the Ganges river dolphin. The Ganges River needs to be efficiently conserved and time is of the essence.

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Reintroduction of Wolves in Colorado is Highly Essential

Gray wolf

 Last week, the Trump administration announced the removal of wolves from federal protection in the lower 48 states stressing that the animals had already made a successful comeback. The decision was challenged by conservationists, who argued for putting more focus and effort on coexistence with wolves and restoring their endangered species status. But now, there is hope on the horizon with a recent news of Colorado having voted on a proposition to reintroduce wolves into the state. The proposition, known as Proposition 114, requires the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to construct a plan to reintroduce wolves into the state west of the Continental Divide by the end of 2023. It also guarantees that ranchers should be compensated for any livestock loss. The proposition demonstrated for the first time voters proclaimed whether or not to reintroduce an animal. The votes were pretty separated between urban and rural areas, with ballots coming from communities around major cities such as Boulder, Denver, and Colorado Springs.

Proposition 114 won the Colorado state election.

I find that Proposition 114 winning the Colorado state election gives a great deal of hope for wolves. They had been eradicated from Colorado since the mid-1940s to make way for development and livestock in the state. Bringing them back to Colorado would ensure restoration of balance to the state's ecosystems by culling deer and elk herds that have had an uptick of chronic wasting disease. Also, conservationists say that wolves only inhabit 10 percent of their historic range in the U.S with majority of their populations fragmented. Reintroducing them back to Colorado has the possibility to help connect gaps between packs in the Northern Rockies, Great Lakes, and the West. According to Dr. Diana Tomback, an integrative biology professor and a member of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project's science advisory team, this would lead to more genetic exchange and stronger future generations of wolves.

An illustration of a southern Rocky Mountain wolf. This subspecies once inhabited Colorado before becoming extinct in the 1940s.  

I'm well-aware that people are divided with respect to the perception of wolves. Some see wolves as essential to the health of ecosystems, while others like ranchers see them as a threat to their livelihoods. This division of perspectives is connected to the conflict between people and wolves. Rebecca Niemiec, an assistant professor from Colorado State University, says that bringing together people with these perspectives is crucial. Failure to do so can increase conflict between people over wolves and lead to negative results for both people and wolves. Although wolves are shy by nature and kill less than 0.01 percent of livestock as indicated by Dr. Tomback, ranchers would still be skeptical to the findings. This is why I strongly believe that ranchers should be provided with livestock guardian dogs minimize attacks from wolves without resorting to retaliatory killing. When wolves became extinct in Colorado during the 1940s, the state's ecosystems changed tremendously as deer and elk populations began to increase. It is highly essential to reintroduce them into the state to stabilize the prey populations and restore the ecosystems. If the method worked in Yellowstone National Park, it should also work in Colorado.

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Wolves Should Be Allowed to Flourish Throughout the U.S

 

A black wolf captured on camera in Oregon in 2017.

The Trump administration recently announced that gray wolves will no longer be federally protected under the Endangered Species Act in the lower 48 states. This long-foreseen move has attracted both praise and criticism. Federal wildlife officials called the move a success story, similar to the ones involving the bald eagle and American alligator. Critics addressed the view as premature and have already promised to take legal action. According to Kristen Boyles, an attorney for Earthjustice, the wolves are only beginning to get a foothold in places such as northern California and the Pacific Northwest. She further added that they need to be federally protected to seek habitat in the southern Rocky Mountains and the Northeast. Other critics called the move as another environmental attack by the Trump administration, which has reduced several other environmental protections. These include protections of endangered species and migratory birds.

A pair of wolves feeding on a white-tailed deer.

From what I have seen and heard over the years, the issue of gray wolves in U.S is a very complicated matter that has pitted both wildlife and conservation groups and federal officials at odds with each other for a long time. Since 2013, the Obama administration proclaimed delisting the wolves stating that the animals' numbers have grown to the extent that they are no longer at risk of extinction. It further added that the wolves should be managed by state and tribal governments. Two years ago, wolves were delisted in Wyoming and Idaho due to constant pressure by sportsmen and agricultural groups. Consequent lawsuits saw the animals get delisted, relisted, and again delisted in Wyoming. Nowadays, wolf populations are managed by state wildlife agencies in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and hunting them is allowed. Similar hunting seasons are anticipated in some states in the Midwest if the national delisting survives the court challenges.

Wolfpack preying on a bison.

I feel that the future for gray wolves in the U.S is very bleak without any hope with these ongoing court battles between wildlife groups and federal officials. These animals are deliberately being prevented from repopulating other parts of the country with hunting seasons. How can an animal that once disappeared from parts of the country where it once flourished not be welcomed back? Is this called conservation? Should wolves should be kept in certain places, preferably protected areas without human intervention, and elsewhere they should be treated like common vermin? I strongly disagree with that. These animals are crucial for the health of ecosystems throughout the U.S and Canada. I strongly urge that non-lethal measurements be implemented to prevent wolves from preying on livestock. This includes providing ranchers with livestock guardian dogs to protect their cattle, sheep, and other animals. Just shooting wolves in cold blood will not make a difference, especially if the intended targets unintentionally turn out to be alpha leaders. In the wolf society, when alpha members die, the whole pack would be in disarray. Without alpha leaders to maintain order, subordinate members would recklessly go out in search for food on ranches risking the wrath of concerned ranchers. At the same time, the ranchers would suffer livestock losses while protecting them. This is why I believe that wolves should be kept as endangered species in the U.S until they inhabit more of their historical range. 

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China Secretly Supports the Sale of Pangolin Parts Despite Ban on the Trade

Pangolin

The government of China had reportedly launched a high profile crackdown on the illegal trade of pangolin parts in response to combating the covid pandemic. Pangolins are known for being carriers of coronaviruses and some people believe that they play a go-between role in hosting the Sars-CoV-2 virus which leads to the Covid-19 disease. Therefore, in February, the country placed a permanent ban on the consumption of pangolins and other wildlife. In June, it banned the usage of pangolin scales in traditional Chinese medicine and bolstered protections for its native pangolin populations. However, a recent report by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) revealed that the government continues to support the sale of pangolin parts. The agency discovered that 221 companies are licensed to sell pangolin scales. Among them is the international pharmaceutical company Tong Ren Tang, whose shareholders include major western financial institutions. The report, titled Smoke & Mirrors, also showed that pangolin scale-products made in China are available for purchase on eBay, Alibaba's Taobao, and other e-commerce platforms. The EIA had earlier found out that even though pangolin scales were removed from the raw ingredients list of the 2020 edition of Pharmacopoeia, they were still listed within some 80 authorized traditional medicines. The report ended by forcing the Chinese government to "unambiguously prohibit commercial use of wildlife" and to "remove pangolins and other globally threatened species entirely from the pharmacopoeia and other nationally approved medicine lists."

Sign board of Tong Ren Tang in Beijing

In my opinion, this news has revealed the ugly truth behind China's stance on the illegal wildlife trade during the covid pandemic. Even though the country banned the consumption of pangolin and other wildlife products, it was secretly supporting the sale of such illicit products much to the chagrin of individuals and organizations involved in global wildlife protection. It is absolutely outrageous to see how the Chinese government pledges to fight against the illegal wildlife trade and at the same time support the sale of wildlife products. I strongly urge the Chinese government to take strong measurements to effectively ban the sale and consumption pangolins and it should be done without any secretive political backing of the illicit trade. This means all those companies licensed to sell pangolin products should have their licenses revoked and shut down if necessary. In addition, major e-commerce platforms like eBay should establish a strict policy against selling of pangolin and other wildlife products.

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Trinidad and Tobago's Illegal Wildlife Trade Needs to be Dealt With

Capuchin monkey

On the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, a conservation NGO known as El Socorro Center for Wildlife Conservation put light on the illegal wildlife trade saying it must be dealt with insistently. Its director and founder, Ricardo Meade, said in a statement that the issue is worsened by the Caribbean country's penetrable borders. He added that monkeys, which are not native to Trinidad and Tobago, are the most widely trafficked animals. They are smuggled into the country from Venezuela and Guyana. Many lose their mothers to hunters and exhibit aggressive behavior in reaction to such a traumatic experience. In addition, they are also carriers of diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis which Mr. Meade pointed out as a warning about letting monkeys loose in areas like Chaguaramas. He further added that many of the monkeys that have already been released have become a big problem to the country's ecosystems. Mr. Meade also pointed out that birds are also victims of the illegal wildlife trade and their plight is ignored by authorities. This, he warned, could lead to a destruction of Trinidad's bird population, including poultry, especially if a viral infection takes place. He blasted the careless approach from authorities who do not implement laws and called on the Ministry of National Security to focus on the illegal wildlife trade. He believes that education is required to prevent instances on the issue. In order to do so, he recommended utilizing marketing methods to involve young people and demand action.

Blue-and-yellow macaw  

I would strongly suggest taking Mr. Meade's demands and recommendations for combating the illegal wildlife trade into serious considerations. It is equally disheartening that animals like monkeys, which are not native to Trinidad and Tobago, are traumatized by the loss of their parents and venting their aggression on their so-called owners. It is also frustrating that authorities such as the police and the coast guard have a careless approach towards the issue and what problems it presents to both people and wildlife. It is highly crucial to conduct necessary measurements to educate the public about the dangers of the illegal wildlife trade, in order to involve them in the fight to call for an end to such a sadistic practice. I would also urge the authorities to refrain from having a lenient attitude towards this lucrative, yet unethical issue and take strong measurements to combat it.

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Reintroduction of Tasmanian Devil Crucial for the Wildlife of Australia

Tasmanian devil

The Tasmanian devil is aptly named for its homeland, which is the island of Tasmania off the coast of Australia. But what many people don't know is that this ferocious marsupial once inhabited mainland Australia 3,000 years ago. While the cause of its disappearance on the mainland is a mystery, it is widely believed that dingoes were responsible for wiping out these predatory marsupials. As a result, majority of surviving devils remained on Tasmania from where they got their name. But now, in a major historic step, a group of 26 devils were released on the mainland marking the species' return after 3,000 years of extinction. The animals were released in a 1,000-acre sanctuary at Barrington Tops approximately three and a half hours north of Sydney. Behind the reintroduction is a project known as Aussie Ark. Its president, Tim Faulkner, stated that the releases were made in July and September. He further added that an "insurance population" would be established in response to a contagious facial tumor disease, which first struck the Tasmanian population in the mid-1990s. The disease decimated the devil population from around 150,000 animals to fewer than 25,000. The reintroduction is also aimed at controlling the fox and feral cat population in the area. The project has also planned to bring forty more devils into the sanctuary over the next two years. The animals will initially be placed in a fenced area for breeding purposes. They will then be released into the wild and closely monitored to see how well they contend with other wildlife and various environmental factors such as bushfires.

A young Tasmanian devil being handfed

I find it very amazing that Tasmanian devils are making a comeback to mainland Australia after 3,000 years of disappearance. People have long believed that these carnivorous marsupials are only found on Tasmania through nature shows, books, and even the loveable cartoon character. However, this news brings in light that the devils in fact did inhabit the mainland. Their disappearance is thought to have been attributed to the dingoes, but this is one of many theories made to understand their extinction. Another theory states that hunting and land clearance by Aborigines led to the demise of the devils. Others suggest the extinction was caused by climate change from the most recent ice age and increased aridity. But regardless of which theory is accurate, what is clear is that the reintroduction of the Tasmanian devil is crucial for Australia's ecosystems.

A Tasmanian devil in its natural habitat.

Ever since the Tasmanian devil became extinct on the Australian mainland, the forests of New South Wales underwent major ecological changes. These changes were a result of introduction of foxes and cats in the region. These invasive species have been roaming Australia since they were brought to the country by British colonials. For decades, they have been preying on the native wildlife and responsible for extinction of some species. Feral cats have even been hampering attempts to reintroduce threatened species into areas where they had become extinct. Despite measurements implemented, there has been no major change in slowing down the cat and fox populations especially in areas free of predators like dingoes and wedge-tailed eagles. But now with the reintroduction of Tasmanian devils, it looks like there might be a game changer on the horizon. Armed with jaws eight times more powerful than a Doberman, they could easily stand up against a cat or a fox. I hope this will give conservationists an edge in curbing Australia's invasive species situation.

Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky helping release Tasmanian devils in a sanctuary outside Sydney. 

In my opinion, reintroducing the Tasmanian devil back to its former mainland stronghold is not only beneficial but also crucial. Its former habitat has continuously been threatened by foxes and feral cats and controlling their populations is essential for the benefit of Australia's wildlife. In addition to that, this marsupial has been suffering from an untreatable facial tumor disease on its current island homeland. By establishing an insurance population, I think this would help separate uninfected devils from infected ones in Australia. This way, the disease-free devil population can increase on the mainland. I also think it is important to assess the dingo population in southeastern Australia before releasing any introduced devils into the wild. Even though there is a 1,553-mile long fence designed to keep dingoes out of the region, it is necessary to inspect it for any evidence of these hardy dogs crossing in and back. Any damage in the form of holes or anything allowing the dogs access through the fence should be fixed. And if there is presence of dingoes in southeastern Australia, they should be captured and released outside the region. What struck me about this news is that the project received help from the star of Marvel's Thor Chris Hemsworth and his wife, fellow actress Elsa Pataky. Both of them helped release some of these devils into the sanctuary. This to me goes to show that famous celebrities are aware of the world's conservation issues and are lending their support by any means. I believe that when famous celebrities lend their support to such causes, it should be taken as an inspiration by ordinary people to follow suit and work towards making change for the better. This especially applies in present day when the natural world is fading and the evidence is all around us and staring in our faces.

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Can Genetics Decide the Translocation of Asiatic Lions?

Asiatic lion

The Asiatic lion has been one of India's roaring conservation success stories after the tiger and the elephant. Over the years, its numbers increased from around 300 animals to 674 at present. However, with numbers of lions dispersing to parts of Gujarat state outside Gir Forest, its last stronghold, calls for translocating the animals out of state had been made but to no avail. There were several reasons for the delay on both scientific and unscientific grounds. One recent case was reported with respect to new findings on the basis of genetics. That is, Asiatic lions are not considered to be greatly different from their counterparts in Central and West Africa due to their genetic similarity. The discovery was presented in the 2017 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in which Asiatic lions, and Central and West African lions share the same nomenclature Panthera leo leo. That finding was supported by members of Gujarat's State Board for Wildlife (SBWL). One of the members, Bhushan Pandya, noted the IUCN report and called for a postponement in the planned translocation of some lions to Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. Pandya stated that a panel of lion experts has been called to study the change in nomenclature. In effect, the IUCN edited the taxonomy of the cat family and classified lions into two subspecies: Panthera leo leo and Panthera leo melanochaita of eastern and southern Africa. The report further added that Asia's lions had conquered southwest Asia over 20,000 years ago. This was way earlier than the indication that lions were introduced to India from East Africa by the Mughals in the 17th century.
 

A West African lion in Benin's Pendjari National Park. Notice the resemblance from the image above? 

I really don't understand why the reintroduction of Asiatic lions should be postponed on the basis of genetics. Just because the lions are genetically and morphologically similar to their Central and West African counterparts doesn't mean they should not be translocated outside Gujarat. These lions are differentiated from one another in a variety of ways. For example, Asiatic lions thrive in a savannah-type habitat which is different from the ones in Africa. They also inhabit dry deciduous forests which are absent in Africa. I would also like to point out that Asiatic lions are identified by a fold of skin hanging down from their stomachs, which is easily noticeable when the animals are viewed sideways. African lions, on the other hand, lack such a distinguishable characteristic. Furthermore, lion populations in western Africa are much lower than in India - around fewer than 250 mature individuals which makes them critically endangered. Asiatic lions, on the other hand, number about 674 individuals.

Morphological comparison between the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo leo) (top) and the African lion (Panthera leo melanochaita) (bottom)

In my opinion, reintroducing lions from western and central Africa into India would be absolutely pointless in case Asiatic lions become extinct due to any catastrophic events. Such movement would be met with immediate refusal from regional governments; the same when Iran once declined India's request to lend some of its cheetahs as part of the country's cheetah reintroduction project. I also don't understand who came up with this suggestion that India's lions were introduced into the country by the Mughals. It doesn't make sense since lions of East Africa are identified by their larger and more prominent manes and Asiatic lions have smaller less developed manes. What is clear is that the lions which colonized southwest Asia 20,000 years ago were the same lions that are now currently recolonizing parts of Gujarat from where they disappeared decades ago. They are also the same lions that once reigned supreme in central, northern, and northwest India centuries ago before becoming extinct. I don't think it is necessary to study the nomenclature change to help in the decision-making process of whether to translocate lions outside Gujarat or not. The bottom line is that Gujarat's lion population has increased significantly and efforts need to be made to translocate some of these lions in protected areas out of state without delay. These lions need to be closely monitored to see how well they are doing in their new environment. This would help in determining whether to continue with translocation efforts or halt them.

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Killer Whale Attacks in the Mediterranean Need to Be Investigated

Killer whale

Killer whales are some of the most majestic members of the dolphin family. Their striking features and remarkable intelligence have earned them a special place in hearts of people worldwide, most notably in Free Willy and performances in several marine parks. However, behind the awe-inspiring image, there are facts that are often overlooked by the general public. Killer whales are the most dominant marine predators in the world; capable of preying on seals, sea lions, other whales and dolphins, and even great white sharks. Their ability to live and work together as a team has made them a force to be reckoned with. This was recently seen in the Mediterranean Sea when, in the last two months, a pod of killer whales was reported attacking boats off the coasts of Spain and Portugal. Most of the attacks on boats occurred from the Strait of Gibraltar to Galicia. Reports indicated that the whales have damaged many boats and injured several people. One of the victims was a sailor named Victoria Morris, who described the attack as "totally orchestrated." She further added that about nine whales surrounded her boat and kept ramming it for over an hour. It felt as if the whales were capsizing the boat. The damage caused by the whales was so severe that the boat had to be towed away. In addition to ramming against the boat, the whales also bit the boat's underside. The attacks have left researchers confused because killer whales are not normally aggressive. Although they often follow boats, there had never been any recorded cases of group-based aggressions among killer whales. Rocio Espada, a biologist from University of Seville, commented that it is possible the whales resorted to this bizarre behavior due to stress caused by heavy boat traffic in the area.
  

A killer whale leaping in Hood Canal

I also find it surprising and perplexing that killer whales have recently been reported attacking boats out in the wild. This is because killer whale attacks are very rare in the wild and such incidences have never resulted in any human fatality. Majority of attacks on people have occurred in SeaWorld and other marine parks, in which the whales would turn against their human trainers fatally injuring or killing them in the process. Such incidences have resulted in a demand for ban in killer whale shows. But this is the first time wild killer whales attempted to attack people without any human-induced provocation. What caused these animals to suddenly attack people? Is it stress due to heavy boat traffic in a specific part of the Mediterranean where the attacks occurred? Or could there be other issues for such a behavior? I think it is highly crucial to investigate this matter thoroughly, in order to deeply understand why killer whales are attacking boats. But one thing is certain from these attacks is that they clearly indicate how powerful these whales are and that they command respect. Media may depict killer whales as charismatic and fun-loving animals made famous in Free Willy and in other films and television shows, but in reality, these are highly intelligent, social, and potentially dangerous animals capable of killing great white sharks. I would strongly urge for implementation of protective measurements against any further attacks. This includes reducing boat traffic in areas of attacks and identifying times of days or months when the whales frequent the Mediterranean. At the same time, researchers need to thoroughly study Mediterranean's killer whales in order to find out what is causing them to attack boats and why.

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Sea Turtles Need to Be Protected During the Pandemic!

 

Sea turtle hatchlings on Lebanon's Al-Mansouri Beach.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced people around the world from congregating in large numbers at various public places such as beaches. One of those beaches is Al-Mansouri in Lebanon, which recently witnessed a record number of loggerhead and green sea turtles arriving to nest along the country's shores. The beach is now one of Lebanon's most important breeding sites for the turtles. Every nesting season, a local resident named Mona Khalil would count the turtles' nests with a team of volunteers. They would watch over them - protecting them from predators and people - and then help the newly-hatched turtles on their journey to the sea. According to Khalil, the last time she saw an increase in green sea turtle nests was in 2006 when Lebanon was in conflict with Israel. The beach was empty, as Israeli gunboats floated just offshore. However, back then, she had counted only nine nests. This year, twenty nests were recorded. In addition, sixteen loggerhead turtle nests were counted. Ali Badreddine, a consultant for a sea turtle conservation program endorsed by the ministry for environment, stated that his team counted larger numbers of turtle nests at several other important beaches along Lebanon's coastline. He further added that protecting the turtles and their offspring is a real challenge in the face of fishing, where they become ensnared in nets; trash discarded into the Mediterranean Sea; and uncontrollable coastal growth. Khalil has dedicated her whole life fighting these obstacles. During her time, she had risked her life standing up to the local residents who used to use dynamite to fish just off the shore. In recent years, she fought against the construction of the Palagio Beach Resort, which is situated right on Al-Mansouri. Although the area has been declared a "community-protected zone," an investigation by The Daily Star revealed that the planning permission documents had permitted only for a residential complex at the site of the resort. According to Khalil, corruption and financial interest of powerful politicians resulted in the construction of the resort. This year, however, due to the pandemic and Lebanon's economic crisis, the resort has stayed closed throughout the summer. This means mother sea turtles will have no trouble hauling out on the beach to lay their eggs in the cover of darkness. Also, baby turtles will easily make their way towards the sea guided by the light of the moon. In addition to Lebanon, other places like Phuket, Thailand saw an increase in leatherback turtle nests while Florida recorded a rise in both leatherback and loggerhead turtles. In India, thousands of newly-hatched olive ridley sea turtles were sighted on nearly empty beaches heading out to sea.

Volunteers watching over young sea turtles making their way towards the sea in Lebanon.

Although it is exciting to see endangered species like sea turtles benefiting from the global lockdown without any form of anthropogenic disturbance, one should not be fooled. I have a strong feeling that the countries where sea turtles come to nest will slowly and slowly open up for economy as time goes on. This means that sea turtles' lives will again be threatened by fishing and other anthropogenic factors. I strongly believe that waiting until the end of the pandemic is not the wise decision to conduct intensive measurements to save the turtles and ensure their survival. These animals need to be protected by any means necessary even during the pandemic. In Lebanon, sea turtles have become victims of corruption when a beach resort was built on a site which is in fact a "community-protected zone." Even though this resort is closed, I'm sure that it will open at some point in the future. This would have a negative impact on the turtles' behavior. That is, the lights from the resort can confuse the hatchlings, causing them to crawl up the beach instead of toward the sea and this would bring them into conflict with a variety of natural and unnatural obstacles. I strongly urge the people of Lebanon to take necessary measurements to ensure the protection and conservation of sea turtles in the country, including protesting against construction of beach resorts on beach strips identified as sea turtle nesting sites. Other sea turtle countries should also follow suit.

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Are Radio Collars Responsible for Deaths of Asiatic Lions?

Does this lion appear to be choking on a radio collar?

It has been recently reported that in the past one year, one out of four radio-collared Asiatic lions have died raising concerns as radio-collaring is done on young animals. Some experts claim that the unscientific use of collars could have led to the lions' deaths. Chief Conservator of Forests Dushyant Vasavada sent a letter to the deputy forest officials, imploring them to take essential action wherever they received objections regarding radio-collaring of lions in their area. The Gujarat State Forest Department has received 75 radio collars. So far, 89 lions have been collared to track their movement. This indicates that about 14 radio-collared lions may have died spurring the authorities to use their collars on other animals. Messages and pictures heightening concern over radio-collaring of lions have been distributed in social media. However, Vasavada stated that lions dying because of radio collars are baseless and that there are other reasons behind their deaths. When asked about the letter sent to deputy forest officials, he responded that it was only a precautionary measure.

Teak trees in Gir Forest

Wildlife experts working in Gir Forest that the number of dead radio-collared lions could be higher. H.S Singh, a member of India's National Board of Wildlife and lion expert, stated that it was not necessary to radio-collar such a large number of lions as it could lead to serious behavioral changes. Therefore, he recommended that radio-collaring should be limited to twelve lions. Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer A.K Sharma, who was awarded a Kirti Chakra for rescuing lions from poachers in 1989, stated that that the animals should not be treated like guinea pigs. He further stressed that radio collars cause pressure on the lions' necks hindering their hunting skills and that the practice is being done just to make it easy for forest officials in tracking lions, rather than for any research purpose. In addition to the discomfort caused by radio collars, two wildlife experts stated that collaring young lions, particularly males, appears to be proving fatal. This is due to the lions' manes growing quite fast and that their head size increases for a few years. Because of this, many forest officials in Gir Forest have started to remove the collars if they find the lions facing any discomfort. Sources said that the state forest department did not consult experts before radio collaring such a large lion population. A researcher with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) suggested that radio-collaring should only be done on one lioness from each pride and that the total number of radio-collared individuals should not be more than 10. However, this was not the case since many lions and lionesses from the same pride had been selected in many cases.

A lion family in Gir Forest

It looks to me that the conservation of the Asiatic lion needs some serious improvement and several fingers are pointed at the practice of radio-collaring the lions. Lions that had been found dead wearing radio collars were suspected of dying of discomfort caused by the collars. But was their cause of death solely attributed to radio collars? Chief Conservator of Forests Dushyant Vasavada disputed that claim calling it baseless and stated that the lions died of other causes. Other experts are saying that the practice is attributed to the radio collars with young lions being susceptible to grievous injuries while growing up with collars on. In 2018, a radio-collared tiger was found dead in Odisha after succumbing to an infection in its neck. However, the news did not confirm whether the infection was caused by the collar itself or something else. I would suggest that any lion found dead with a radio collar on should be thoroughly examined in order to determine whether the cause of death was by the collar or something else. I also strongly believe that tracking lions and other wild animals for research purpose requires considerable consultation from experts. This includes learning about different sizes of radio collars, the proper number of animals to fit with collars in order to track them, and other modes of tagging such as microchips. I think microchips would be a good alternative to tagging young lions, but it would be best to consult the experts and receive guidance from them. Collaboration between state forest departments and wildlife experts is essential for the conservation of lions and other animals.

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Regional Cooperation Essential to Save Southern Asia's River Dolphins

Gangetic river dolphin

Experts from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Burma have recently joined forces to intensify conservation of river dolphins in the region, paving way for regional collaboration. A webinar was organized by the Inland Fisheries Society of India, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), National Mission for Clean Ganga, Professional Fisheries Graduates Forum, and the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society During the session, Dr. J.K Jena of CIFRI indicated that the dolphins "do not realize boundaries and have tried to find habitat wherever possible." Therefore, regional collaboration is essential in conserving them. Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga Rajiv Ranjan Mishra shared his experiences on dolphin conservation connecting its importance to revitalization of the Ganges River. Ongoing efforts of the National Mission for Clean Ganga to bring dolphin conservation to national attention have led to Prime Minister Narendra Modi making an announcement of "Project Dolphin" under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. National Mission for Clean Ganga has given importance to biodiversity and ecological enhancement along with pollution decline and projects have been initiated for improvement of fisheries with CIFRI and for biodiversity conservation with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The webinar consisted of former CIFRI Director Professor A.P Sharma pointed out the need to research dolphin habitat restoration, while former Vice Chancellor Dr. Dilip Kumar talked about the social aspects of fishermen's life and dolphins in rural India. Among all the points agreed on during the webinar, the most important fact was that an organized approach is required for energizing trans-boundary efforts and to set up a regional program. Other focal points included fishery conservation efforts under the National Mission for Clean Ganga through CIFRI to better prey base in dolphin habitat resulting in increased dolphin population and improvement in the livelihood of fishermen to help them join conservation efforts.

Irrawaddy dolphin

I have strongly believed that regional cooperation between countries is vital for the conservation of various endangered species. This is especially true when an endangered species inhabits not just one country, but neighboring countries as well. This is seen here in the case of river dolphins, which include the Gangetic river and Irrawaddy dolphins. The Gangetic river dolphin inhabits the river systems of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Therefore, instead of each of these countries individually working to conserve and protect their respective dolphin populations, it would be more helpful and effective to join hands. Similar method would also help in conserving the Irrawaddy dolphin, whose populations inhabit rivers and estuaries near sea coasts of India, Bangladesh, and Burma. I have a hopeful feeling that this regional collaboration between these four countries will ensure protection and conservation of river dolphins. I also hope that other river dolphin countries will follow this example in conserving their dolphin populations.

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Collaboration Between Poachers and Wildlife Protection Personnel is Intolerable!

The four poachers with remains of sambar and mouse deer they killed.

In southern India's Karnataka state, forest personnel from Chikkamagaluru district attempted to bust a poaching ring on Tuesday night when they checked a car with four men in it and discovered it to be filled with dismembered remains of sambar and mouse deer. The four men ranged from ages 18-63 and were identified as Deekshit of Kadabailu, Annappa Shetty and Harish of Mallandur, and Manjappa Shetty of Shivagoor. Forest officials stated that the men entered the Masakali forest area on the peripheries of Bhadra Tiger Reserve on Tuesday at around 10 pm to hunt sambar and mouse deer with a single-barrel gun. After killing their intended targets, the poachers loaded their kills in a car and were transporting them through the Honnahalla checkpoint when they were arrested. Upon being interrogated, the poachers revealed to the forest personnel that an honorary wildlife warden named Satish Gowda was supposedly involved in the poaching racket. The rangers learned that Gowda owned a plantation on the edge of the forest and was assigned to watch for poaching activities. However, the poachers were able to gain entry into the forest area after Gowda permitted them. The four poachers have been produced in court. Gowda, on the other hand, has been charged under the Wildlife Conservation Act for abetment of poaching and is on the run following the recent bust.

A tiger in Bhadra Tiger Reserve

There is nothing more shocking and frustrating than an individual or a group of individuals dedicated to protecting wildlife collaborating with poachers. I think this news highlights the flaws in the battle against poaching and other wildlife crimes in India. In this case, a high-ranking wildlife warden giving a nod to poachers to conduct their illegal activities. Another example took place in 2008 when Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh witnessed a crash in its tiger population and this was largely due to a collaboration between the forest personnel and poachers according to an internal report by the state forest department. Despite repeated requests from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the state government refused to establish a CBI probe into the matter. I strongly believe that when such people who are dedicated to wildlife protection are discovered to be collaborating with poachers, it should require considerable attention from government and judicial officials in order to ensure that aiding and abetting poaching would not be taken lightly. I hope that Satish Gowda will be made an example of this. In the meantime, it is essential to conduct efforts to track down this miscreant and bring him to justice.

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Will India's Project Lion Conservation Program Benefit the Asiatic Lion?

A pride of Asiatic lions

In India, during the early 1970s, a conservation project titled Project Tiger saved the tiger from the brink of extinction in its homeland. Now, there is a similar program in the works geared at saving and protecting the country's second largest big cat: the Asiatic lion. Titled Project Lion, the program was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his addressing of the nation at the Red Fort on Independence Day in which he stated that the government would give priority to lion conservation through this project. He further added that the program will "focus on creating health infrastructure which is suitable for the lion." According to the latest count, India's lion population has increased by 29% in the last five years from 523 animals in 2015 to 674 in 2020. In Gujarat, the lions are found in an area of roughly 30,000 square kilometers. A senior officer from the Ministry of Forest and Environment indicated that the project was predicted as the government organization, after the COVID-19 outbreak, had declared a Rs. 98-crore Project Lion for establishing hospital and disease control. The officer further added that the project would help better the habitat, employ modern technologies in lion management and surveillance, and even bring in institutes like the Indian Veterinary Research Institute and National Institute for Virology for disease monitoring. A senior state forest officer stated that the project will also discuss human-wildlife conflict and will be extensive involving local communities living in the vicinity of lion habitat. In addition, the implementation of the project would mean more funds for lion conservation and disease control. Currently, the lions receive funds based on the project under several schemes. But with Project Lion, funds would be properly allocated on the lions of Project Tiger. Furthermore, lions, which are only observed by the Forest Department of Gujarat, will have a group which will be taking decision for the conservation. In addition, CCTV trap methods used for tiger surveillance and monitoring will also be carried out for the lions in Gujarat's Saurashtra region.

View of Gir Forest, the last stronghold of the Asiatic lion.

I'm really amazed that there is a new conservation program in the making after Project Tiger and Project Elephant. It goes to show how India is very serious about the conservation of its wildlife.  The Asiatic lion has for decades been protected in Gujarat's Gir Forest National Park and during the time, its numbers grew exponentially resulting in lions dispersing beyond the borders of the national park and into parts of Gujarat where they had long disappeared. But despite the increase in numbers, India's lions faced numerous challenges outside Gir Forest in the form of man-made obstacles (i.e. wells) and diseases. Disease in the form canine distemper took a life-threatening toll on the lions, killing 25 animals almost two years ago. The situation prompted the need to trans-locate lions outside Gujarat. Now, it looks like there is a glimmer of hope for lions as conservation efforts along the lines of Project Tiger will be implemented to ensure that they are fully protected from anthropogenic threats and diseases. 

Map of proposed trans-location sites for lions (light blue).
Note: Chandraprabha (pink) was a former site of trans-location. 

What struck me about this news is that the implementation of Project Lion could probably mean Gujarat would lose its "monopoly" for lion sightings. I would like to point out that historically the lion's range included central, northern, and western India, including Gujarat. But because of decades of habitat destruction and hunting, India's lion population became reduced to Gujarat where the animal has since remained and became a special icon to the local people. I strongly believe that the lion's home range should never be restricted to just Gujarat; it is highly crucial that it should be reintroduced in parts of India where it had long disappeared. Any disputes over the trans-location of lions out of Gujarat should be done strictly on scientific and not political grounds. I would suggest that some number of lions should be trans-located in a chosen protected area such as Kuno Palpur, and then closely monitored to see how well they are adapting in their new environment. I would also suggest that captive breeding programs should be created as part of this new project. This would help in trans-location efforts when newly released wild lions from Gujarat somehow fail to adapt outside the state. The purpose of captive-breeding programs should not just focus on breeding lions in captivity. It should also focus on providing them with behavioral enrichment to stimulate their instincts essential for survival in the wild before releasing them into the wild. Furthermore, areas both inside and outside Gujarat should be identified as protected areas for lions by checking for any indirect evidence of the big cats, abundance of prey, and make sure they are free of any anthropogenic pressure. I have a pretty good feeling that Project Lion will benefit the Asiatic lion and I hope the people involved in the program will carry it out concertedly in order to ensure the survival and well-being of the lion on the long-run.

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