Fighting Canine Distemper and Providing Behavioral Enrichment Essential for Asiatic Lion Conservation

A pride of Asiatic lions in Gir Forest

Six months ago, a canine distemper outbreak devastated the Asiatic lion population killing over thirty lions in a span of three months. In fact, over 23 animals died in just twenty days in September 2018. Most of the lion deaths were reported in Gir Forest's Dalkhaniya range. Following this outbreak, 31 animals were rescued from the afflicted area near Semerdi in Gir in order to avoid further losses. The rescued lions were placed in a veterinary facility in Devaliya, where they were given vaccines imported from U.S and kept under close observation. However, despite the medical attention and care provided to ensure their well-being, the lions now have another major problem. After being kept in captivity for more than six months following the canine distemper outbreak, 26 adults and five cubs might never be released back into the wild. Experts think that the lions' prolonged stay in captivity combined with interaction with their human caretakers has resulted in their inability to sharpen their natural instincts thus reducing their possibility of surviving in the wild. Authorities have not yet determined the date to release the captive adult lions and cubs. However, Chief Conservator of Forest D.T Vasavada stated that the animals are healthy and doing well. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Wildlife Warden A.K Saxena added that a special protocol needs to be followed before releasing the vaccinated lions. The animals have to be kept under close observations as medical teams need to investigate their immunity and study the vaccines' effects. In addition, specific medical tests need to be conducted to check whether or not the lions have begun producing antibodies naturally. He further added that the cubs may have to stay in captivity for probably their whole life, as they have learned to eat artificially.

View of Gir Forest

I find it understandable why these captive lions cannot be released into the wild. They have been spending such a long time in captivity that they have eventually become used to being around humans. This means they have most likely lost their natural instincts to live and survive in the wild. If these lions were to be released into the wild, then their fearlessness of humans would bring them into conflict with people. But I don't see this as a sign of hopelessness in the conservation of the Asiatic lion. In fact, I find this obstacle as an opportunity to improvise the efforts to reintroduce the lions into the wilds of India. I strongly urge the experts, researchers, and anybody involved in the lion conservation to provide the captive animals substantial amount of enrichment to help stimulate their natural instincts of hunting and surviving in the wild. Majority of the captive lions, including cubs, were described by officials in this news as healthy and doing well. This means they can exercise and play in captivity, which would be of great help when surviving in the wild. In addition, I also urge the need to combat the canine distemper virus in Gujarat which includes identifying areas where the disease is prevalent and treating stray dogs, jackals, wolves, and foxes carrying the virus in those areas. Lastly, I strongly recommend identifying areas across India as possible reintroduction sites for the lions. We should never forget that the Asiatic lion historically ranged throughout northwest and central India before being confined to Gir Forest. And it is the responsibility of anyone involved in the conservation of the lion to ensure that it is brought back to its former haunts, where it had disappeared.

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Indian Railways and Forest Departments Should Work Together to Ensure Wildlife Safety

A tigress found dead on railroad tracks near the town of Nandyal.

India is known for its vast railway system that connects nearly all corners of the country. However, a good number of train tracks cut through wildlife habitats affecting the movement of animals with tragic consequences. This was seen recently in the case of a stretch of train tracks between Diguvamatta-Chelima railway station on the Guntur-Nandyal line of Indian Railways in the state of Andhra Pradesh. A wildlife official stressed that as many as four animals have died on this stretch in the past one year. Among the victims included a three-year-old tigress which was found dead on the tracks this week. The animal's death alerted the forest department and its body was brought for post-mortem which later showed that the death was accidental. The tiger population in Gundla Bramheswaram Wildlife Sanctuary which is part of the Nandyal forest division has increased in recent years. Chief Conservator of Forests Gopinath stated that this was why a corridor was established between the wildlife sanctuary and Vontimitta in Kadapa district. Camera traps have been set up along the corridor to track the tigers' movements and other animals in the districts. The chief conservator further added that the animals use a steep and narrow lane to cut through the forest which is a hindrance to the defense mechanism of the animals. In addition to the tigress, other animals that died on the same stretch included two leopards and a sloth bear. Due to this, studies are being carried out to decrease the speed of trains while crossing that part of the reserve forest. A letter has been sent to the divisional manager in Guntur to acknowledge this measurement for trains passing the crucial 25-kilometer long expanse between Diguvamatta and Chelima railway stations. While giving concerns for the animals' safety crossing the stretch, environmentalists are hopeful that the railways and forest department could join forces to guarantee that no more animal fatalities are reported from the stretch.

A leopard in Gundla Bramheswaram Wildlife Sanctuary

I believe it is very crucial that forest departments and railways across India should work together to ensure that there are no animal casualties. This especially applies in places where train tracks cut through protected areas or even areas where wild animals have been spotted. Animals like tigers, leopards, and bears require expansive tracts of habitat to search for food and when train tracks cut through such tracts, these animals are prone to death by oncoming trains. I strongly urge that forest departments and railways work out efficient strategies, in order to prevent any further animal casualties. This includes construction of special overpasses or underpasses in areas where animals are spotted. In addition, I also think that a special alarm system that can alert railway stations about animals crossing the tracks in such areas should be installed. Many animals need vast spaces to accommodate them, especially when they are on the move in search of new territories. And when their search for new territories leads them to areas consisting of railway tracks, they are susceptible to death by trains.

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High Time to Save Sharks from the Brink of Extinction

Great white shark

Sharks have ruled the world's oceans for some 400 million years and earned their place on the top of the food chain until humans showed up. Despite their reputation as "man-eaters" and the stuff of nightmares in the mindset of people, sharks have been and continue to be heavily fished for their meat, fins, and liver oil to satisfy the insatiable demand of humankind. A peer-review study from 2013 estimated that 100 million sharks are fished every year for their products to meet the growing demand. But now, a new estimate by the IUCN's Shark Specialist Group has warned that seventeen of the 58 shark species are on the brink of extinction. These include the shortfin mako, which is known for swimming up to 25 miles per hour followed by bursts of more than 70 kilometers an hour, making it one of the fastest sharks in the world. However, the shortfin mako, along with its relative the longfin mako, is also highly valued for its meat and fins to satisfy Chinese and other Asian culinary traditions. In May, several countries will vote on a plan by Mexico to list the shortfin mako on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The Appendix II status would not outlaw fishing or trade of the shortfin mako, but control it. Six of the shark species reassessed were listed as "critically endangered," three of which for the first time. These include the Argentine angelshark, smoothback angelshark, and whitefin swellshark. Eleven others were categorized as either "vulnerable" or "endangered" to extinction. The IUCN Shark Specialist Group has discovered that the decline in shark populations is linked to the tuna fisheries operating in seas and oceans where the sharks live. This was seen when fisheries management organizations doing a better job supervising tuna catches has increased the motivation for fishermen to target sharks for extra cash. According to Nicholas Dulvy, co-chairman of the group, such activities were seen along the coastlines of the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. Sonja Fordham, the group's deputy chair and an officer of the Ocean Foundation, called for urgent limits on fishing at both national and international levels, including complete bans on landing those sharks reviewed as "endangered" or "critically endangered."

Shortfin mako shark

It really disappoints me to see that humankind's insatiable appetite is pushing the world's shark populations towards the brink of extinction. I really think that based on the assessments made by the IUCN Shark Specialist Group, it is a high time to raise public awareness about the anthropogenic dangers affecting the sharks and take action. These majestic fish may have an undeserved reputation as man-killers and stuff of nightmares, but in reality, sharks are on the top of the food chain of various marine ecosystems and do not habitually prey on people like their counterparts in various movies. They are responsible for maintaining the ecological balance of the world's oceans and seas, which means without them, the global marine life would change dramatically. I strongly believe that various fisheries that specialize in tuna and other commercially important fish should be closely monitored for possession of sharks and should be punished under full extent of the law. In addition, I also believe that sharks like the shortfin mako should be fully protected and there should not be any regulation in catching this shark for its meat and fins. In fact, it is absolutely necessary to remove shark meat, fins, and liver oil from Chinese and other Asian culinary traditions because there is no scientific proof that such products can treat any medical conditions. Shark fins are known to contain high levels of mercury and methylmercury salts which is unhealthy for both soon-to-be pregnant and pregnant mothers, nursing mothers, and young children. Some studies have shown that shark liver oil may raise blood cholesterol levels. This is why it is highly essential to step up efforts to save sharks from the brink of extinction.

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Is There Really a New Species of Killer Whale Out There?

Physical differentiation between a regular killer whale (bottom) and a possible new species or Type D (top)

Killer whales are the most well-known species of whales in the world. Most people have either seen or heard of them when visiting theme parks such as SeaWorld, going whale-watching, or watching various nature documentaries and films like Free Willy. These magnificent whales have captivated people's imaginations for generations. But somewhere off the coast of southern Chile, for decades, there have been rumors and stories from tourists and local fishermen about what could be a new species of killer whale. Now, the scientific community has had the opportunity to witness this new species for the first time. An international team of researchers stated they found a couple dozen of these distinctive orcas off the coast of Cape Horn in January. They further added that they are waiting for DNA tests from a sample of tissue taken from one of the whales, but believe that the whales may be a different species. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) felt positive enough to announce the discovery of the new killer whale species on Thursday. However, some experts were more cautious and stated that they would wait for the test results even though they agreed the whales are different. One of them is marine mammal educator at the Smithsonian Institution Michael McGowen, who stated that calling these whales a new species without scientific data may be "premature." Robert Pitman, a NOAA marine biologist in San Diego who was part of the team that sighted the whales off Cape Horn, believes that the animals are distinct from other killer whales. For example, unlike regular killer whales, these whales appeared to have a tiny white patch above the eye and their heads were a bit more rounded and less smooth. In addition, the whales' dorsal fins were narrower and pointed. Dr. Pitman further added that Cape Horn's whales mostly ate fish, instead of marine mammals like seals and sea lions, which explained why local fishermen complained about the whales successfully ripping apart their fishing lines. The whales probably cannot breed with other killer whales. Measuring 20-25 feet long, these whales are a little smaller than ordinary killer whales. And while majority of killer whales in the southern hemisphere are categorized in Types A through C, this particular species Dr. Pitman stated is called Type D or subantarctic killer whales.

View of Cape Horn

I find it amazing that there is a particularly unique type of killer whale off the coast of Cape Horn that possesses distinctive characteristics from ordinary killer whales. But is this really a new species of killer whale? I think to answer this question, I believe it is important to obtain DNA test results in order to be sure. Physical characteristics alone are not sufficient enough to prove a species' distinctiveness. For example, when a team of researchers from the Smithsonian Institution studied the "golden jackal" populations in Africa four years ago, they were able to determine through mitochondrial DNA analysis that the animals are in fact distinct from golden jackals and a new species in the dog family. Similarly, scientists and researchers studying killer whales off the coast of Cape Horn to conduct DNA analysis in order to determine whether the animals are truly a distinct species or not. They should not just examine physical and behavioral characteristics to show that these are a distinct species.

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Major Companies Should Take Full Responsibility in Cleaning Up Oil Spills Caused by their Vessels

Oil spilling out of the Solomon Trader in the Solomon Islands

Last month, a cargo ship from Hong Kong called the Solomon Trader got stuck during a cyclone in the Solomon Islands when it was trying to load bauxite. The incident occurred off the coast of Rennell Island near a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as East Rennell during which the island's reef tore into the vessel's side resulting in some 80 tons of heavy fuel oil being poured into the sea and onto the shoreline. Aerial footage by the Australian government showed the spill advancing roughly 3.5 miles across the island's shore and moving closer to the World Heritage Site. Ever since the disaster took place, there has been an increasing anger that the companies responsible for the spill have not stepped in to stop the pollution. The government of the Solomon Islands originally requested Australia to give technical advice, but due to the escalation of the disaster, Australia is setting up teams in an attempt to scale down the effects of the destruction. Australia indicated that the islands' government made it clear that the companies which caused the spill, King Trader Ltd. and its insurer Korea P&I Club, have the responsibility of rescuing the ship and cleaning up the damage. Local and maritime publications say that the ship was authorized at the time by a company called Bintan Mining. The New York Times reported that Korea P&I Club "expressed 'deep remorse' on behalf of itself and the vessel's owner, King Trader, though it said that 'matters of liability are yet to be determined.' "

View of East Rennell

It really frustrates me that when there is an environmental disaster involving a ship or any other vessel, the companies that own that vessel(s) do not take action. This was especially seen in the case of the Solomon Trader, which has been leaking oil into the sea off the coast of Rennell Island since February 5 2019. The spilled oil is advancing little by little towards East Rennell, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the companies which own the ship did not take any immediate action to prevent any damage. I strongly urge all the major companies that own various cargo ships to take the initiative of salvaging their vessels whenever there is an oil spill anywhere in the world. It is the sole responsibility of the companies to clean up the mess they have caused whenever their vessels are involved in a maritime disaster that is damaging to the marine environment. Such disasters not only threaten the marine life but can also severely impact the livelihood of local populations that strongly depend on the waters for survival. For example, East Rennell is home to 1,200 native people who primarily live by hunting, fishing, and subsistence gardening. Many of them were interviewed in which they complained about the awful smell from the oil making breathing difficult. If the oil continues to expand, it will kill the fish and other marine animals which these people rely on for food. This is why I firmly believe that major companies, their owners and insurers, should take full responsibility in tackling maritime disasters such as oil spills involving their vessels.

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Forest Department Needs to Take Strong Measurements to Ensure the Tiger's Safety in Gujarat

Carcass of the tiger that was captured on camera trap in Gujarat's Mahisagar district two weeks ago

In India's Gujarat state, two weeks ago, there was so much excitement amongst the wildlife and conservation society because a tiger was captured on camera trap marking the animal's return to the state after nearly thirty years. But now, that excitement has been short-lived with the news of the tiger found dead in the forest area of Mahisagar district where it was recorded two weeks ago. The animal's decomposed body was discovered near the village of Signali in the district on Tuesday at around 5:00 pm. According to Vadodara chief conservator of forests S.K Shrivastava, the carcass of the tiger was found 12 kilometers away from the place where it was seen the last time on camera last week. Additional chief secretary of forests and environment Rajeev Gupta added that the tiger had died before two or three days and that all four of the animal's legs were in tact. The animal's viscera and other body parts have been given to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to determine its precise cause of death. Primary reports hinted that one of the tiger's forelegs was missing In response to the tiger's death, a series of massive awareness drives for Gujarat Forest Department officials and local villagers was conducted. Dreading that poachers may be seeing an opportunity to kill the tiger, the department had escalated its communication with villagers and requested them to notify officials if they saw any suspicious person. The villagers were also warned to never reveal the tiger's location to anyone. 

Camera trap footage showing the tiger in Mahisagar district 

It really breaks my heart to see how one day there is so much excitement that an animal like a tiger, which was last seen in Gujarat thirty years ago, show up and then suddenly it is found dead. How did this tiger die and who or what caused its death? These are the questions that need to be answered. I strongly urge the Gujarat Forest Department to make sincere and effective efforts to investigate how did this tiger die and take diligent steps to prevent any other tiger which crosses into Gujarat from ending up this way. In addition, local villagers living in the area should play their part by reporting any suspicious people or activity and never disclose the tiger's location to anyone. However, these awareness drives should not just be limited in Mahisagar district. The forest department should also conduct similar awareness campaigns in other districts in North, Central, and South Gujarat which respectively border Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. All three of these states are home to some of the most significant and active tiger populations in India and tigers from any of these states could unexpectedly cross into Gujarat like the one seen in Mahisagar district. This is why I firmly believe that it is highly essential to bolster conservation efforts to keep the tiger safe in Gujarat, along with the Asiatic lion and the leopard. All three of these big cats once inhabited Gujarat before the tiger disappeared and it is the job of wildlife and conservation officials and local people to ensure their safety.

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Customs and Border Protection Should Join Forces with Conservation and Environmental Groups in Safeguarding the U.S-Mexico Border

Bootheel region in New Mexico; an important wildlife corridor along the U.S-Mexico border

In the U.S, President Trump recently declared a state of national emergency and called for building a wall along the 2,000-mile stretch of the U.S-Mexico border in an effort to tackle the issues of illegal immigration and drug trafficking. His decision was met with severe criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, who called the move "unconstitutional." The reason is because the wall happens to cut into properties of private landowners living along the border. But it is not just politicians, who have expressed disapproval of the border wall. Environmentalists have also voiced their criticism, arguing that the wall could harm wildlife corridors and the delicate desert terrain. Environmentalists like the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity have been filing lawsuits challenging the government's authority to renounce environmental regulations for more than ten years with most of the attempts having failed. But now, the Center has joined forces with two other conservation groups in a new lawsuit against the national emergency. Although Customs and Border Protection (CBP) insisted that it carries out all essential research and surveys to include environmental clearances before starting any construction to avoid any possible impact on sensitive locations, conservationists are still doubtful and frustrated. For example, Kevin Bixby of the Southwest Environmental Center, stated that any big structure that would prevent the movement of wildlife is a wall.

New 18-foot steel fencing replacing old fencing near New Mexico's Santa Teresa Port of Entry

Much of the new wall construction is anticipated along the Rio Grande River in Texas. The CBP stated that it has employed local, state, federal, and non-governmental organizations to "identify and address potential impacts of cultural, historical, and natural resources that may be within planned barrier alignment in the Rio Grande Valley." However, the new border fencing in the valley could cut through significant floodplains. Josiah Heyman, director of the Center for Inter-American Border Studies at University of Texas in El Paso, pointed out that the fence-wall would block the water's movement and thus form a dam. He further added that a border wall built in 2008 in parts of Arizona led to monsoon floodwaters building up behind it and pouring into the city of Nogales in Mexico. This means that something similar could happen on both sides of the U.S-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley, especially if a hurricane blows in from the Gulf. According to a newly signed border security bill, some environmental sites in South Texas such as the National Butterfly Garden and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge were particularly protected. However, it is unclear what might happen to those sites now that national emergency has been declared.

The Mexican wolf is one of many endangered species that lives in the vicinity of the U.S-Mexico border.

I strongly agree that the construction of the wall along the U.S-Mexico border can have serious drawbacks. Not only would this barrier cut into properties of private landowners in the area, but it would impede the movement of wildlife and harm eco-sensitive zones. There is a wide variety of animals that live in the vicinity of the U.S-Mexico border and many of which whose home ranges cover both the countries. These animals include pumas, coyotes, peccaries, and even endangered species like Mexican wolves, ocelots, jaguarundis, and jaguars. While the wall may keep out illegal immigration and prevent drug trafficking, it would hinder the movement of these animals from U.S to Mexico and back. Furthermore, some parts along the border function as crucial wildlife corridors and there are eco-sensitive zones where these animals either live or have been sighted. In addition, the wall can also have a devastating impact on the environment on either side of the border. This was seen in 2008 when monsoon floodwaters built up behind a border wall in Arizona and poured into Nogales in Mexico. It should be strongly noted that a similar incident can happen in other areas along the border, especially where the Rio Grande River and other major bodies of water are located. I firmly believe that Customs and Border Protection should join forces with conservation and enviromental groups and try to come up with an alternative to safeguard the U.S-Mexico border. Instead of simply building a wall along the border, the CBP should help closely monitor eco-sensitive zones and wildlife corridors for any signs of intrusion in the form of drug traffickers and illegal immigrants. I strongly urge the CBP to handle the issue of illegal immigration as humanely as possible because the people involved consist of families fleeing from the violence and bloodshed plaguing their home country(s). Such atrocities could be related to the drug trade, which the U.S has constantly been battling for decades. Drug traffickers, on the other hand, should be dealt with swiftly and severely because they have absolutely no regard for life and would do anything to ensure that their illicit means of making money goes uninterrupted. If that means killing an endangered species like a Mexican wolf or a jaguar, they will do it without hesitation. This is why I strongly urge the CBP and various environmental and conservation groups to join forces together in protecting the U.S-Mexico border to ensure that both people and wildlife are safe from harm.

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