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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Migratory Birds Should Be Protected From Accidental Killings by American Companies

A bald eagle flying over Mill Pond in Centerport, New York.

A New York federal judge recently overruled a decision by the Trump administration to scale down government protection for migratory birds. The decision would have permitted companies that accidentally kill migrating birds during the course of their work no longer to face the prospect of criminal prosecution. In a 31-page document, U.S District Judge Valerie Caproni quoted the novel To Kill a Mockingbird to uphold her decision. Just before leaving office, the Obama administration released a legal opinion saying that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act does include the accidental killing of birds. In 2017, the Trump administration ruled out that opinion pending review. Later, it issued a legal memo saying it would not criminally prosecute such killings. Judge Caproni was positive in her ruling, disallowing the administration's interpretation of of "takings" and "killings" of birds as relevant only if the animals are targeted specifically. In 2018, the National Audubon Society and other conservation groups, along with eight states, sued the Trump administration's legal opinion, which the court joined into one. The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service stated that tens of millions of birds are killed every year by anthropogenic threats, involving flying into communication towers and wind turbines, as well as oil spills. Environmental groups argued that if the Trump administration's legal opinion had been in place ten years ago when the Deepwater Horizon oil spill occurred, BP would have not been prosecuted under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for the one million birds killed.

President Donald Trump

I'm very proud that U.S District Judge Valerie Caproni overruled the Trump administration's decision regarding the plight of migratory birds. I don't believe it is fair that work progress should continue when birds are accidentally killed by wind turbines and other machinery belonging to major companies. One the long run, this would decimate the migratory bird populations in the U.S. I strongly believe that major industrial companies across the U.S should keep a lookout for such incidences and report them. Protection of birds does not mean that they should be only safeguarded from illegal poaching, habitat destruction, and other deliberate actions by people. Accidental killings of birds should also be taken into consideration. I think in order to prevent further accidental killings of migratory birds, it is crucial to identify their migration routes. If their migration routes happen to be in vicinity of a future site of some power plant or similar building structure belonging to some major company, that company should be warned about the possibility of accidental killings of birds and should be encouraged to find a different location where there is proof of presence of birds and other wildlife. This would help curtail any further decimation in migratory bird populations.

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Global Efforts Needed to Tackle Oil Spill in Mauritius

A man scooping oil off the coast of Mauritius following a spill in late July.

The island nation of Mauritius is one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Like most tropical islands, it has been home to a rich variety of wildlife; much of it being found nowhere else in the world. However, it has also been subjected to anthropogenic pressure dating back to the 17th century when it lost one of its most iconic inhabitants, the dodo, to extinction. But now, there has been another threat of a greater magnitude that has recently devastated the island's natural beauty: an oil spill caused by a Japanese cargo ship called the Wakashio after it struck a reef off the island's coast. More than 1,000 metric tons of oil spilled into the island's pristine waters. The incident has led Mauritius to declare a state of emergency, and the French government has sent technical support to help with the disaster response. In addition to that, independently-organized local volunteers have been working to clean up the spill and protect the beaches with makeshift materials. However, the government has warned that the crack inside the ship's hull has been growing and that could break it in half releasing all the remaining oil into the waters. The company that owns the ship stated that efforts are in motion to pump some 1,800 metric tons of remaining oil out of it before it splits apart. Although the local people sprung into action to clean up the spill, majority of them were angry that the government did not take action sooner to prevent the unfolding disaster.

A large patch of oil near the Pointe d'Esny.

Although I very much admire the attitude of the people of Mauritius with regard to the oil spill and acting upon it, I'm also concerned about the state of the situation. This is because there is still excess oil in the vessel, which could split apart anytime and that would make the situation much worse for the locals to tackle by themselves. Even though the company which owns the ship stated that efforts are underway to pump the remaining oil out, I strongly feel that global efforts are needed to speed up the recovery process. That is, volunteers from other countries should go to Mauritius and help the locals clean up the spill with highly advanced tools rather than makeshift ones. They should also help pump the remaining metric tons of oil out of the ship safely and efficiently without further spillage into the country's pristine waters. I also urge the government of Mauritius to be very proactive in dealing with these kinds of environmental issues. Not only do they devastate the native environment and wildlife, but also the country's economy, food security, and health.

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India's First Snow Leopard Conservation Center Planned!

Snow leopard

In North India, the state of Uttarakhand is set to develop the country's first snow leopard conservation center in the forests of Uttarkashi district. The center will be developed by the state forest department and the United Nations Developmental Programme (UNDP). The main goals of establishing this center are conservation, restoration of Himalayan ecosystems, and establishing local livelihood. The project also plans for conservation of snow leopards and other endangered Himalayan species. According to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, the areas where the leopards have been sighted should be noted by the forest department by the "cooperation of local people and military forces." He further added that the conservation of snow leopards in Uttarakhand will encourage winter tourism and that the big cats share their mountainous home with various other species of wildlife, which are the center of attraction to tourists. In a meeting with the Chief Minister, State Forest Minister, and officials, it was notified that a number of snow leopards have been sighted in Pithoragarh and Uttarkashi districts but the actual figures are obscure. Based on many researches, it has been confirmed that there are 86 snow leopards currently living in Uttarakhand. In addition to the conservation center, Uttarakhand is also in the process of creating six city forests to extend green area in the state's urban regions. The forest department has announced plans to create city forests in the Kumaon region, two in the plains, and four in the hilly districts. The goal of developing city forests is to build up the green cover in urban regions and to connect locals with greenery and a clean environment. The regions that have been selected are Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Dehradun, Nainital, and Pithoragarh.

A snow leopard captured on camera trap in Hemis National Park.

I cannot express what a fantastic move Uttarakhand is making with respect to its local wildlife and nature conservation. The snow leopard is not just one of the most iconic animals of the Himalayas, but also the top predator. It plays a crucial role in keeping populations of mountain goats, sheep, and other animals under control. An establishment of a center dedicated to the conservation of the snow leopard and Himalayan ecosystems, and creating livelihood for the local people is essential in ensuring a peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife. In addition, the move will also promote tourism in Uttarakhand and I think it will be a great way for people visiting India to witness the country in its natural and pristine state. I'm also very proud to see that Uttarakhand is going to establish city forests. Not only will it connect the local people to greenery and a clean environment, but developing city forests is known to benefit the climate and economy. It is even said that city forests remove air pollutants and provide health benefits such as lower risks of asthma and lung cancer. I strongly believe that other states across India should follow Uttarakhand's example in conservation of their local wildlife and wild places. This would help India take its place as a world leader in global conservation.

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China Should Safeguard its Wild Carnivores Living in Giant Panda Reserves

A giant panda named Xing Er at a zoo in Copenhagen.

In China, the giant panda is one of the most charismatic of all animals on both national and global scales. Its image is famously portrayed on the World Wildlife Fund logo and was chosen as the mascot for the 1990 Asian Games. Over the years, the panda has received significant global attention with regard to its conservation in its native China. Although the giant panda was able to successfully bounce back from the brink of extinction thanks to wide-scale conservation efforts on both national and international levels, other animals that share its habitat have suffered drastically in the hands of people. This was indicated in a recent study published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution that conservation efforts directed at saving the giant panda failed to safeguard large predators living alongside it. Researchers found that four wild carnivores, the leopard, snow leopard, gray wolf, and the dhole (Asiatic wild dog), have almost vanished from the majority of giant panda conservation areas since the 1960s. The authors of the study compared and contrasted survey information from the 1950s to 1970s with data from nearly 8,000 camera traps taken between 2008 and 2018. They discovered that leopards had vanished from 80% of panda reserves, while snow leopards disappeared from 38% of the areas. Wolves, on the other hand, disappeared from 77% while dholes from 95%. The study pointed out that these predators face threats from poaching, logging, and disease. The authors stated that the crucial challenge was that while giant pandas have a home range of up to 13 square kilometers, the four large predators require an area surpassing 100 square kilometers. One of the authors, Sheng Li of Peking University's School of Life Sciences, explained that panda reserves usually have an area of around 300-400 square kilometers each which is too small to support reasonable populations of these predators.

The dhole is one of four large carnivores that has disappeared throughout China's giant panda reserves.

It really disheartens me that the conservation efforts intended to save the giant panda failed to protect the four powerful predators in China. Although the panda is classified as a carnivore, it specializes in eating bamboo shoots and leaves and therefore plays an important role in maintaining China's bamboo numbers. The leopard, snow leopard, wolf, and dhole play a vital role in keeping China's wild herbivore populations in check. The news about this research study is a clear indication of why choosing to protect a species based solely on "charisma" can have an adverse effect on other species. Animals like the giant panda should not be protected simply because they play an influential role in the public mindset. They should be protected on the grounds of ecological importance. Without giant pandas, China's bamboo populations would cause ecological imbalance to the country's terrestrial ecosystem. Similarly, the loss of leopards, snow leopards, wolves, and wild dogs would result in overpopulation of various prey species. I strongly urge the government of China to take essential steps in restoring the country's natural habitats. This includes connecting current habitats over thousands of kilometers to allow segregated populations to mingle and possibly breed. This would probably recover the large predator populations and increase the resilience and sustainability of ecosystems for both pandas and other species.

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COVID-19 Lockdown Saves South Africa's Rhinos from Poaching, But Why are India's Endangered Species Still Suffering?

A pair of white rhinos

The COVID-19 pandemic spelled disaster for endangered species in Africa and Asia as poachers took advantage of the global lockdown in conducting their illegal activities. However, in South Africa, the lockdown had a different impact on its rhino population. According to Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries Barbara Creecy, only five rhinos were poached in Kruger National Park four months ago compared to 46 in April 2019. South Africa has, for years, battled a plague of rhino poaching incited by the ravenous demand for their horns from China and Vietnam. CGTN Africa reported that it was the first time in almost a decade that Kruger National Park did not see a single rhino killing in the Intensive Protection Zone in April. Jo Shaw, senior manager and African rhino lead for the World Wildlife Fund, indicated that South Africa's rhino-poaching epidemic reached its peak in 2014 with about three rhinos killed per day. Last year, 594 rhinos were killed. While the post-COVID drop possibly has several explanations, Shaw agreed that the lockdown contributed to it. However, Minister Creecy warned that the poaching trend will come back again with lockdown restrictions relaxing and game parks being reopened.

Mother rhino and calf

Although I'm delighted to hear that South Africa's rhino population has been protected from poaching during the lockdown, I wonder what could be the secret behind such big news. Could it be because the governments of China and Vietnam banned the demand for rhino horns following the pandemic? Did South Africa intensify its anti-poaching efforts in Kruger National Park and other protected areas across the country during the lockdown? I think there could be a number of reasons, but the biggest question is if South Africa's rhinos are saved by the COVID-19 lockdown, how come endangered species in India are still suffering from poaching? A recent report published in June indicated that poaching for consumption and local trade more than doubled during the lockdown. However, it also showed that there was no proof of building up of wildlife products for forthcoming trade. A species group comparison showed that the percentage of ungulates reportedly poached increased from 22% during the pre-lockdown period to 44% during the post-lockdown period. I strongly urge the government of India to focus on mitigating the country's poaching epidemic during the lockdown. Anti-poaching efforts need to be intensified across the country, which should include a joint collaboration between the state forest departments, law enforcement officials, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and various conservation NGOs. These efforts should, by all means, be provided with strong political support. South Africa, on the other hand, should keep a strong vigilant watch for any suspicious activities related to poaching in its protected areas and act upon it especially with the easing of the lockdown in the country. When a global lockdown like this one for COVID-19 is put into effect, it does not mean that the world's wildlife will benefit with the absence of human presence in wild places everywhere. There are always desperate groups of people affected by poverty and food shortages as a result of the pandemic, who would take advantage of the lockdown to carry out illegal poaching to make ends meet. This is why I strongly urge for intensification of anti-poaching efforts in India and other places badly affected by poaching and the illegal wildlife trade during this pandemic. Furthermore, such communities whose members are forced to go into a life of wildlife crime should be provided with help to ensure that they survive without resorting to poaching.

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