Happy World Rhino Day

Happy World Rhino Day! World Rhino Day was first announced by WWF- South Africa in 2010. The following year World Rhino Day grew into an international success, encompassing both African and Asian rhino species. The theme of this year’s World Rhino Day is “Five Rhino Species Forever”. It celebrates both the African and Asian Rhino […]

Defining the conservation photograph

Conservation photography is the active use of the photographic process and its products, within the parameters of photojournalism, to advocate for conservation outcomes. Conservation and Photography may represent two very distinct fields, but their combined impact can be profound. Simply put, conservation photography is photography that enables or empowers conservation. The serious conservation photographer doesn’t […]

The Kabini Inheritance

The frequent sightings of leopards in Nagorehole National Park has made it so popular that the Kabini backwaters area is now popularly known as The leopard Capital of India. Kabini is an undisputed paradise for both Leopards and Asiatic Elephants as well as for the area’s main predator- The Tiger. Its wildlife biomass is stated […]

Making a Difference

Picture Credits:iStock.com  Here are some suggestions on what one can do for Tiger Conservation     1- See wild tigers- Support tiger tourism by seeing these wonderful cats in their natural habitat     2- Support Zoos- Go to your local zoo and see the tigers. See what fundraising activities they are doing and get […]

Gir Safari in times of Covid: Safe or risky?

By Nischal Sanghavi After a tiger at New York Zoo tested positive for the respiratory disease caused by the Corona virus in April, concerns have been raised for the Asiatic lion over the opening of Gir Safari soon. Gir Safari was closed for visitors following the lockdown by the government in late March. The State […]

Uttar Pradesh: Sarus atlas to give wings to conservation

Image Credit: The Hindu LUCKNOW: In an attempt to conserve sarus cranes, the State bird of Uttar Pradesh, the forest department is set to prepare an ‘atlas’ of this avian species. The forest department in association with the Institute of Wildlife Sciences, Lucknow University, will collect and compile data for the atlas which will map the […]

Bera’s free-roaming leopards walk on thin ice as tourism grows

Bera in the Pali district of Rajasthan is often nicknamed ‘Leopard Country’. Widely regarded as being home to one of the highest densities of leopards found anywhere, the otherwise shy feline is often spotted roaming and resting in crevices along the hillocks of the Aravali range here. If that is not interesting enough, the fact that […]

Corbett, Sanctuary Foundation join hands to prevent wildlife slaughtering

Picture Credit: iStock Photo While Wuhan in China has justifiably been at the centre of global and national attention, here in India too wet markets have flourished over the years, some for the local consumption of wild species and others to feed the international wildlife trade, estimated to be in excess of $20 billion per […]

Countries Where Illegal Wildlife Trade Is A Major Threat To Wildlife

From the Americas, to Asia, to Africa; wildlife trade is unfortunately still common in many continents. It is a big business, bringing in estimated billions of dollars of illegal revenue. The golden triangle of Laos, Thailand and Myanmar is a global hub for illegal wildlife trade and trafficking. China is the largest importer of illegal […]

Rajmata, The oldest ever Lioness of Gir passes away at the age of 70 years

              Rest In Peace, Rajmata    

Snatchers at wetlands too: Sarus photographer robbed

Greater Noida: Three men snatched a 42-year old’s SLR Camera and telephoto lens at gunpoint in the Dhanauri wetlands late evening. According to the complaint, the victims were in a car, looking for sarus cranes when three men approached them on bike. The victim said one of the miscreants had asked them to take their […]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posts videos of him feeding peacocks

 

Akshay Kumar Goes on Adventure with Bear Grylls for Into The Wild, Releases Motion Poster

https://youtu.be/ZRmJYCn0iYg

Happy World Lion Day2020

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Happy 10th August 2020

When I started my photography journey this was my first glimpse of the lion in the jungle. This picture will always hold a special place. The lion in the picture is Raju who lived his life like a King. Unfortunately, he took his last breath on 8th June 2015.  

The age of Extinction:China raises protection for pangolins by removing scales from medicine list

Picture Credit-Getty Images China raises protection for pangolins by removing scales from use in traditional chinese medicine & elevated pangolins to a level one protected species. Pangolin scales removal from an official 2020 listing of ingredients approved for use in traditional Chinese medicine in a move is lauded by animal protection groups as a key […]

Pregnant Elephant Fed Pineapple Stuffed with Crackers in Kerela dies in the river

The wild elephant had left the forest, meandering into a nearby village in Kerela’s Malappuram in search if food. As she walked on the streets, she was offered the cracker-laden pineapple by locals. So powerful was the cracker explosion in her mouth that her tongue and mouth were badly injured. The elephant walked around in […]

Black Panther spotted at a tiger reserve in Chattisgarh after 7 years

Chattisgarh forest officials sighted a rare black panther at Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Bilaspur District after seven years. Deputy Director at the Reserve , said that the exact location of the black panther won’t be disclosed.

Hyderabad: Civet Cat on terrace, Leopard lounging on streets create panic

Two felines were spotted in Hyderabad on Thursday morning, sending shockwaves among residents. While a civet cat — initially thought to be a panther — was spotted at Fateh Darwaza of Golconda fort, a leopard was found resting beside a median on an underpass near Katedan in Rajendranagar. The animal rescue team of the Nehru […]

Spotted Deer, Chased by a Leopard, crashes through roof of house in Mumbai

4 to 5 people were sleeping in the house when the deer came crashing. A rescue team reached the spot on being alerted soon after. The deer was safely rescued from the house by a seven member team from Mumbai Range of the Forest Department and RAWW and taken to Sanjay Gandhi National Park’s (SGNP) […]

Rhino Poached, Horn Hacked off in Assam’s Kaziranga, AK-47 Bullets Found

Amid a nationwide lockdown over the COVID-19 outbreak, a tragedy struck Assam’s Kaziranga National Park. An adult male Indian rhinoceros (also called greater one-horned rhino) was gunned down and its horn was hacked off. Park authorities found eight empty cartridges from an AK-47 assault rifle at the scene, suggesting the poachers were well-armed. This is […]

Sundarban tigers come out to play during lockdown

Rare Sighting: Black Panther captured on camera in Goa Sanctuary, Supposedly for the First Time

Black Panthers are a rare sight, for the longest time it was believed that they were mythical creatures. And the only Back Panther we know for the longest time was Bagheera from the Jungle Book. However, it is being believed that a Black Panther has been caught on camera for the first time in Goa. […]

Snow Leopard which killed over 40 Sheep in Himachal captured

The Forest department with the help of locals captured a snow leopard which had killed over 40 sheep in the past four days in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti district.

Lockdown effect:

In a first, Bronx zoo tiger ‘Nadia’ tests positive for Covid-19

NEW YORK: A tiger at New York’s Bronx Zoo has tested positive for Covid-19  and is believed to have contracted the virus from a caretaker who was asymptomatic at the time. The four-year-old Malayan tiger named Nadia along with her sister Azul, two Amur tigers and three African lions all developed dry coughs and are […]

Rohit Sharma bats for rhinos in association with WWF India and Animal Planet

Rohit Sharma, the star Indian batsman is launching Rohit4Rhinos campaign, in partnership with WWF India and Animal Planet, to help build awareness for the need to conserve the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros or the Indian Rhino. In a campaign launching on Animal Planet to commemorate World Rhino Day on September 22, Rohit pledges to do his […]

Predator lions turn scavengers outside Gir Sanctuary

A study on feeding habits of lions in Gujarat reveals that 75% of lion food inside the Gir sanctuary is hunted wildlife.  • However, outside the sanctuary 70% of their food consists of livestock. • According to the study, a high percentage of killing of livestock by lions in villages outside the protected area augurs […]

PM Modi walks in the wild with Bear Grylls to promote conservation & cleanliness

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi featured on the special episode of adventure show “Man vs Wild” with host Bear Grylls on Discovery channel and urged the world to live in harmony with the nature. • In the show, the PM spoke about his love for the nature and highlighted the importance of preserving wildlife • […]

Singapore to ban sale of elephant ivory from2021

Singapore to impose blanket ban on the domestic sale of elephant ivory and products from 2021 as the government tightens its campaign against illegal wildlife trade. The announcement was done on World Elephant Day Violators face a jail term of up to one year and fines on conviction. Traders can donate their ivory stocks to institutions […]

Taking cue from PM Modi, tourism ministry makes”Wildlife Theme” for Incredible India

NEW DELHI: Taking a cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s jungle adventure to be aired on Discovery channel, the tourism ministry has decided to make wildlife its theme for the Incredible India campaign for the next two months. The show, Man vs Wild, will be premiered on August 12 and will be showcased in more […]

Modi vs Wild trends worldwide

News of Prime Minister Narendra Modi teaming up with British TV adventurer Bear Grylls to venture into India’s wilderness and raise awareness about protecting nature, broke the internet on Monday.  Modi was trending worldwide, after Grylls tweeted: “People across 180 countries will get to see the unknown side of PM @narendramodi as he ventures into […]

Happy International Tiger Day!

Tiger population in India is just declared as 2967 as per the census of 2018. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who presented the findings on Monday, said the tiger population had risen from 2,226 in 2014 to 2,967 in 2018. He added that India is “now one of the biggest and most secure habitats of the […]

Signature Photographs

Once a while we all come across such rare photographs, which instantly connects us to the place, or the situation in which the photograph was taken. These iconic images become a landmark of the location where the photograph had been shot. These photographs are so captivating and unique that they give instant recognition to the […]

Decide on “Critical Wildlife Habitat” status for Gir Gujarat HC

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat high court directed the Centre to decide on declaring Gir Natioanl Park & Sanctuary and the adjacent Paniya and Mitiyala Sanctuary a ‘Critical Wildlife Habitat’ in 12 weeks’ time. The court said the authorities should take an early decision, preferably within 12 weeks, under provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional […]

India’s endangered lion population increases to 600

The Asiatic lion population has seen a steady increase in Gir sanctuary, as stated by Mr Vijay Rupani, chief minister of Gujarat. An unofficial count conducted recently showed the total count of the felines to have reached 600, which is an approximate ten percent increase from the 523 lions of the 2015 census. The next […]

2 kinds of pictures

I  like to make 2 kind of pictures. Tight portraits like this or showing the habitat.

Painting with light

Photography is all about painting with light… But you need to know how to choose the correct colours to start painting…  

Fear for elephants facing 1,900 train journey

Guwahati: Rupsingh and Rani are among four elephants from Assam set to undergo a perilous journey to Ahmedabad for the annual Rath Yatra festival at the Jagannath temple on July 4. Animal rights activists have criticised a plan by the Assam state government to send four elephants on a perilous train journey of more than […]

A large-hearted gentleman

Jim Corbett had referred to the tiger as a “large-hearted gentleman with boundless courage.” Corbett National Park is the closest you can get to Heaven on Earth, as its landscape is varied and breathtaking. It is one of the finest national parks in India in the foothills of Himalayas, occupying a vast 1,400 sq. Km […]

My Gir Diary

Tips for Long Lens Users… When you are in the middle of a shoot and your subject comes too close… adapt! It is impossible to get the full animal in the frame. Best is to go for a vertical composition and capture the front portion of the head and the legs. All The Best 🙂

The Roll Over: My Gir Diaries

When an animal is sleeping, have patience and wait for it…common things it will do are yawning, licking itself and this phenomenal roll over By being patient you can make astounding  images 🙂

india-and-nepal-to-enter-formal-agreement-for-biodiversity-conservation

PC-Stefan van den Akker/Wikimedia Commons. This agreement includes transboundary landscape management, as well as an agreement to focus on conservation of species like elephant, rhino and tiger. The two nations with common boundaries plan to sign the Memorandum of Agreement(MOU). The agreement is expected to put an emphasis on tiger conservation. As per the 2014 tiger population estimation, […]

With death of a tiger, Sariska reserve is left with one cat for eight tigresses

(Photo: Reuters) A male tiger — ST-16 — brought from Ranthambore to Sariska in April is no more. According to the officials, they operated on his injured leg on Saturday after it was tranquilised. Then ST-16 was released in the forest but later the officials recovered its dead body. If numbers are to be believed, with […]

Gujarat: Six held for illegal lion show in Gir

SIX Persons, including a juvenile, were held by the forest department on Monday after they were allegedly caught red-handed organising an illegal lion show in revenue area Veraval taluka of Gir Somnath district. Revenue areas are not considered part of the wildlife sanctuary. Five of the six accused were identified as Aniruddha Nathani (30), Hiren Vaishnav […]

Wildlife in captivity: Lion Shows

Lion shows using Baits It was during the visit of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, to the Gir forest in 1955, that tethered buffalo baits were provided for the first time to anchor lions so that they could be conveniently shown to the distinguished visitors. This technique was perfected and adopted […]

Suffering unseen: The dark truth behind wildlife tourism

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I hold that the more helpless a creature the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of humankind.”― Mahatma Gandhi Wild animals are born to live free. Even in jungles where food is […]

Project Radio Collar launched to track elephants in Kodagu

Siddapura: Concerned at the increasing instances of elephant-human conflict, the Forest Department, for the first time in Kodagu, has put radio collars on elephants to study their migration patterns. A tool embedded in the collar will send signals 24X7.  

7 new cats spotted, Sunderbans tiger count set to rise

Highlights If the initial trend in the analysis made by the state forest department is to be believed, at least 94 big cats were photographed in the mangroves. A senior state forest department official said they expected an upper limit of 110 tigers on the Indian side of the Sunderbans. KOLKATA: Indian Sunderbans is set […]

New Delhi: The Indian Customs Department; TRAFFIC and WWF-India are reaching out to travelers passing through Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi—India’s busiest airport—on issues related to poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Five life-sized, brightly lit standee displays of Snow Leopard Panthera uncia, Greater One-Horned Rhino Rhinoceros, Pangolins; Asian Elephant and Don’t Buy Trouble (which lists prohibited wildlife species for possession […]

Ranthambore guide stones tiger, fined

PC-Sooraj Puthiyedam Jaipur: A tourist and his guide were jointly fined Rs 51,000 for allegedly pelting stones at a sleeping tiger in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in a bid to get the perfect “action shot” on Tuesday. The cruelty was captured in thermal-imaging cameras used to monitor big cats in the park. The forest department also […]

Don’t let them disappear:Elephants can hear clouds approaching

PC- https://www.pexels.com Elephants can sense low-frequency rumbles that allow them to pick up when a storm is coming.  

Bittu Sahgal on nearing four decades of Sanctuary Asia, and why tigers are the forest’s best chowkidars

PC-Nirmal Harindran Sanctuary Asia was born in October 1981. The magazine was used as a platform to spread the message of conservation in a simple language that even a 12-year-old would understand. The magazine that started out as a quarterly, is now a bi-monthly, with subscribers all over the world. As the founder of Sanctuary Nature Foundation, […]

Endangered rhinos are now being protected by powerful data analytics

After poaching surged recently, the South African government turned to techniques more often to study consumers to help identify-and shut down-the networks that connect illegal guns, poachers and rhino horn buyers. Poaching has surged in South Africa over the last decade and thousands of rhinos have been killed for their horns. Much of the poaching […]

A first in 4 years, tiger ‘poached’ in Sunderbans

PC- Soumyajit Nandy KOLKATA: A Bengal tiger was found dead with a wire snare around its waist — indicating poaching — on Monday in the Sunderbans, a Unesco World Heritage site that has also been recently recognised as a Ramsar site. The death of the tiger — an endangered species, accorded the highest level of protection under the Wildlife Protection […]

Gujarat Govt To Set Up New Wildlife Division Outside Gir Sanctuary, Expand Safety Cover for Asiatic Lions

A two year old asiatic lion cub is rescued from a well in the village of Amrapur located about a hundred miles from Gir sanctuary Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has initiated a process to establish a new Shetrunji Wildlife Division outside the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, ensuring the endangered Asiatic lions a bigger safety cover. Expanding […]

Three critical Wildlife photography problems & their solution

Wildlife photography can be a tricky proposition because the subject matter is very seldom cooperative. Common problems that wildlife photographers must deal with. 1-The Subject Gets Lost-A tiny speck of an animal in a vast vista doesn’t really accomplish the purpose of wildlife photography. Solution-Avoid this situation by investing in a large telephoto lens so […]

How to protect your pictures online

Photo theft, or as it’s legally known, copyright infringement, is an ongoing issue – that’s why I want to talk about how we can prevent it from happening… Here are a few tips that will help you how to protect your pictures online. Copyright Your Photos Image Credit: D3Damon via iStock The moment you take a photo, […]

Need of a macro lens

I know what you’re thinking… You don’t shoot macro photos, so why on earth would you need a macro lens?   Macro lenses aren’t just for macro photography. There’s so much more that you can do with a macro lens than take close-up photos of flowers and insects. In fact, macro lenses are great for portrait […]

Macro photography

Diving into the world of macro photography is a great adventure, with many fun, interesting, and creepy subjects to photograph. But getting awesome macro shots takes a lot of time, a great deal of patience, and, of course, the appropriate camera settings. There are essentially two categories of camera settings that need to be addressed: […]

Photography tips for FAST results

Consider these approaches to boosting your creativity and improving your skills: Shoot photos every day – even if it’s just for five minutes! Collaborate with another photographer. Soliciting feedback from other photographers so you can identify the areas in which you need to grow. No growth happens until you see where you’re going wrong. Without […]

Victory! Spain’s Supreme Court Puts an End to Torture of Bulls at ‘Toro de la Vega’ Festival

Image byAlanceo y muerte del toro

King’s Banquet

The wonder years: Lionesses The core of joint families

The lionesses is a disciplinarian and the cubs obey her commands. When the mother is away on a hunt, cubs huddle up and remain silent and hidden. They come out only when their mother calls them with a low grunt. The cubs run towards their mother letting out excited meowing sounds. The cubs are allowed […]

Lions in Indian scriptures, culture & symbols

Ma Durga riding a lion Symbolic of unbounded strength, the lion reflects the power of Ma Durga as her Vahana (vehicle) while she protects virtue and destroys evil with her divine presence. Ashoka Pillar          Gold Coins with Lion Motif minted during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya II, AD 376 and 415 […]

Doubling the tiger population by 2022

 PC-GEORGE DESIPRIS The 13 Tiger Range Countries, including India, recently resolved to double the tiger population by 2022, under the Global Tiger Recovery Programme. In India our conservation efforts have began to show results. In 2014, there were only close to 2226 tigers in India, this number has grown to almost 3890 by 2016. Our […]

In a green corner of the city, butterflies have found a home

Set up by the forest department, Tau Devi Lal Biodiversity Park delights and enlightens visitors. Spread across an area of 19 acre, 27 species of butterflies, including plain tiger, common emigrant, mottled emigrant, small gross-yellow, peacock pansy, lemon pansy, common pierrot, blue pansy, and great eggfly, can be spotted at the park, which has an […]

Catch me if you can

Lion on the lam locked-up in South African jail

Cape Town: A young lion captured after being on the run for almost a month spent the night in a South African police cell before being moved back to its national park home. The juvenile male apparently escaped from the Karoo National Park through a hole in a perimeter fence. He was eventually tracked and […]

The allure of Gir

Gir is perhaps the best maintained wildlife sanctuary in India. A visit to Gir is fascinating in every season. The changing moods, colours and temperatures, the wilderness is always alive, holding a promise of a great experience. Gir wildlife sanctuary has a mesmerising impact on visitors, often compelling them, to come again and again. The […]

Fighting leopards have a big fall

Two leopards fighting over turf fell into a 50-ft well in Pune district. A team of wildlife SOS and forest officials rescued the male adult felines, about seven years old, using trap cages in a three-hour effort. “The leopards sustained superficial injuries and are under observation,” said veterinarian Ajay Deshmukh.

Leopard freed from poachers’ metal trap

Navi Mumbai: A leopard was found trapped in a ‘jaw trap’ set up by poachers in Jeur Haibati village located in Ahmednagar district. The feline’s left forelimb was caught in the lethal hunting device and was rescued by Wildlife SOS and the forest department. The injured leopard, is currently under medical care at a transit […]

A TALE OF TWO NATIONAL PARKS

A TALE OF TWO NATIONAL PARKS RANTHAMBORE Big Cats 69 Area 392 sq km (plus 1,342 sq km buffer) History – Established as Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 – Declared tiger reserve in 1973 – National park in 1980 Funds Project Tiger (2018-19): Rs 6.45 crore (partially released) State govt (2018-19): Rs 33.5 crore […]

A gender skew that threatens tigers in Sariska

Govt apathy, fund and staff crunch, poor infrastructure and a falling tiger count may ruin this tiger reserve in Rajasthan forever SARISKA: It has been a long journey for a soulmate, and a hectic week, for tigress ST-9. From deep within the Sariska Tiger Reserve(STR) at Sarunda, the tigress travelled to Chamari Ka Bera, 25km […]

Lion breeding programme at Sakkarbug Zoo

This is a management support system for Gir Lion Conservation set up with an objective to study the Asiatic lion and also to supply pure Asiatic lions to various zoos in the country and also abroad. It has so far bred 180 lions in captivity and given away 160 lions to various zoos in India […]

Lost leopard cub reunited with mother in Pune district

PUNE: A nine-week-old leopard cub that got separated from its mother was safely reunited in a recent operation carried out by Wildlife SOS and the forest department near Nagapur village located in Pune  district. After a thorough medical examination by the cub was found to be healthy and fit for release.

Panna: A success story of tiger relocation that started a decade ago

Panna National Park was the second tiger reserve in India after Sariska to loose all its native tigers. Though tigers were repopulated in Sarsika before Panna, the latter has three times the number of the tigers in the former.

Happy World Wildlife Day

Can lions and tigers coexist?

A tiger that had entered the lion’s territory in the jungles of Gir, was found dead. Though only a detailed post-mortem of the tiger’s body would reveal the exact cause of its death, yet it is widely believed that lions do not socially accept tigers in their territory and often kill them. Another reason for […]

Bandipur tiger reserve: Up in Flames

An estimated 1,000 people — 300 local villagers and at least 500 state forest staff — too joined in fire-fighting efforts even as dry, windy conditions continued to fan the flames and officials grappled with a lack of local sources of water. IAF to help Karnataka govt put out fire in Bandipur Tiger Reserve BENGALURU: […]

The unnoticed Heroes: Forest Guards

When visitors come to the forest, their focus is understandably on watching wildlife and enjoying the Wilderness. With so little time in the forest they often overlook the fact that protecting these wonderful animals they see, is a life threatening occupation. Because lion’s claws and bones are sought after by illegal wildlife trade. Ruthless poaching […]

Don’t Buy Trouble!

When you buy or acquire an illegal wildlife product or souvenir, you may actually be buying trouble for yourself. Hunting of a protected wildlife species or possession of and trade in them or their derivatives is illegal and severely punishable under the law.  Wildlife products made from endangered species brought outside India would also require […]

Illegal wildlife trade in India

Over the years illegal wildlife trade has emerged as a form of organised crime which has threatened the very existence of wildlife in India. Though India has an adequate Wildlife Protection Act in place yet it is treated as a low priority crime by the enforcement authorities, resulting in lax implementation. Most wildlife crimes go […]

Tracking the Pug Marks

Pugmark is the term used to refer to the footprint of animals. “Pug” means foot in Hindi (Sanskrit पद् “pad”; A strolling lion when walks on the dirt road leaves a huge print of pug. Each pug mark leaves a signature of the animal. It is an interesting science, used in counting big cats. Pugmarks are also […]

Babu and Babe, meet Delhi Police’s most reliable sleuths

Babu had won the gold medal at the All India Police Duty Meet 2018 among tracking dogs while Babe grabbed the bronze medal in explosives detection Few dogs have what it takes to become a tracker, but both Babu and Babe can track down suspects from their scent trail hours after a crime, say their […]

11.8 lakh title claims of ‘tribals and forest dwellers’ rejected

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has asked 16 states to implement their own orders rejecting 11.8 lakh claims over forest land by Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers (OTFDs) that were found baseless, and passed eviction orders to free lakhs of hectares of forest land. It is not clear from the state affidavits whether each […]

Safari in the National Park

Parks in India are generally closed during the monsoon season, so check the dates for opening and closing of the park, before making any reservations. A valid permit is necessary to enter the National Park and since only a limited number of vehicles are permitted daily, it is advised to book your safari well in […]

What makes a good Photograph

The most important element of a good photograph is the ability of the photo to communicate with the viewer. It should be able to tell a story, by capturing the energy of the subject. Often this means avoiding the obvious shot, and instead trying to capture the moments that reflect the story of your individual […]

Alarm calls you need to familiarise for better chance of sighting Big Cats

Animals commonly vocalize when threatened by a predator. These signals are termed alarm calls. In simple words, alarm call is a call by a prey animal to alert rest of it’s herd about the movement of the predator. This call is high pitched, short, and intense. There are occasions when you see a prey animal […]

Important points to consider before going for a safari

  Do some research about the national park you will be visiting. Read about it to know what animals you can expect to see, the type of terrain, type of vehicles being used. Wildlife photography in India is unique as the terrain and animals to shoot are different. Hence you must do some research. If […]

Other equipment essential for wildlife photography

1- Tripod/Monopod- A slight camera shake can ruin a photograph and therefore a tripod/Monopod is essential for wildlife photography. Make sure that your tripod is strong enough to support the combined weight of the camera and the lens. The advantage of a monopod is that it is easy to carry and relatively compact. 2- Bean […]

Legal aspects of wildlife photography

Many countries have laws concerning human interaction with wildlife. It is the responsibility of the photographer to be respectful to the environmental laws of the country.  

There’s a leopard in my backyard-Valmik Thapar

The leopard in India is struggling for survival. In the last 20 years, the natural forests of India have sharply diminished because of illegal encroachments, an enormous amount of illegal mining and agricultural conversions. Millions of livestock graze and degrade leopard habitat across this country and sharply reduce the availability of natural food. Blasted and […]

Basics of Photography

To improve your photography, you need to get the basics right. The basics of exposure triangle parameters consists of aperture, shutter speed and ISO Let’s understand what it is. Aperture: Aperture is the size of the lens opening. It is the circular opening in the lens which is responsible for how much volume of light should […]

World Pangolin Day

16th February 2019, World Pangolin Day—Until recently, pangolins or “scaly anteaters” were an obscure mammal few people had ever heard of. But now, seven years after the inaugural World Pangolin Day in 2012, they’ve been catapulted into the public eye—although for the wrong reasons. Hundreds of thousands of pangolins have been poached and all eight […]

Climate change could wipe out Bengal tigers in 50 years

MELBOURNE: Sundarbans- the iconic Bengal tiger‘s last coastal stronghold and the world’s biggest mangrove forest – could be destroyed by climate change and rising sea levels over the next 50 years, scientists say. Spanning more than 10,000 square kilometres, the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh and India is the biggest mangrove forest on Earth, and also […]

It’s official: Tiger has entered lion’s kingdom

AHMEDABAD: It’s officially confirmed now. A tiger has indeed entered the lions’ den in Gujarat – which is home to the Asiatic lion‘s last abode. Six days after a school teacher clicked a tiger on his mobile phone, the striped big cat was captured on Tuesday morning by the forest department in the area. The tiger […]

Tiger Found in Abandoned House by Person Who Just Wanted to Smoke Pot

By Sandra E. Garcia It was like “Home Alone,” but instead of an 8-year-old boy setting traps to keep burglars away, a 2-year-old tiger stopped a marijuana smoker from lighting up in its house. The big cat was found by someone who had tried to sneak into the house to smoke marijuana and reported the […]

Adjusting the Picture’s Color & Style

The camera comes with six Picture Styles which adjusts the contrast, color tone,etc… to better match the subject. Setting a different style changes the “look” of the picture. Six preset picture styles are:- Standard-The general purpose setting for sharp and vivid images. Good for most subjects. This picture style provides the optimal sharpness for printing […]

Understanding the digital histogram

The digital histogram. One of the great photographic advances brought about by the advent of digital-capture technology is the histogram. Understanding image histograms is probably the single most important concept to become familiar with when working with pictures from a digital camera. You can use the histogram in the field to evaluate the accuracy of […]

Basics of Post Processing

Post-Processing(PP) is an essential part of digital photography and understanding the basic workflow would  give you the best out of your captured images. Basic post-processing includes the following: Crop & Straighten – To clean up and correct any issues with composition. Colour Correction & White Balance – To correct any colour casts and ensure the […]

Building your Portfolio/Social Presence on the net

Once you have made a sizeable portfolio. Then you can showcase it on the net in your own name instead of some other name. It makes it easier for people to connect the website name to you. You should also use the social media’s  like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram to promote your work. 500px, Flickr, Google+ NatGeo your […]

Super mom: with 4 newborns, MP tigress sets record of delivering 30 cubs

BHOPAL: Supermom ‘Collarwali’ – the incredibly fertile tigress at Madhya Pradesh’s Pench Tiger Reserve – has delivered four more cubs. This is her 8th litter and she has so far mothered an amazing 30 cubs — a record for any tigress in Madhya Pradesh. Nicknamed by visitors because of her radio collar, the latest litter […]

Gujarat: Crocodiles being relocated to make way for seaplane service to Statue of Unity

 There are close to 500 reptiles in two ponds on the Sardar Sarovar Dam premises. The forest department has removed 15 so far. These animals are among the most endangered species and fall under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Relief for residents as forest dept catches leopard lurking in Noida

HIGHLIGHTS The leopard was sighted in the area few days ago The sighting had caused panic among residents Forest department officials caught the leopard around 4:30 pm on Sunday The leopard has now been moved to Surajpur forest nursery. The forest department will shift him to Shivalik forest on January 21.

Territorial fight turns into rare cannibal act by tiger

Highlights: ‘’The animal that got killed seems to be a tigress while the cannibal is a tiger. Though there have been instances of cannibalism among animals, but in tigers, it is rare,” said Kanha’s field director said. According to experts, the hunting tiger did not mean to satiate its hunger by eating the tigress. “It […]

Wildlife department removes field fences posing threat to black bucks

CHANDIGARH: In a move to protect black bucks, officials of the wildlife department, Haryana, are removing barbed wires from agricultural fields in Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Jind and Bhiwani. There are around 2,785 black bucks in these districts. The wires, put up by local villagers to protect their fields from cattle, have injured several black bucks, which […]

New Official Website For Booking Of Gir Tourist Permit Is Launched

With the revamp of the official website, now it’s easier to get permits for the safari in Gir. It’s the only secured & authentic website to book the permits for Gir. An android-based mobile app, downloadable from the website, has also been launched. Below is the link to the official website – Wildlife Division, Sasan-Gir. […]

In a village on Ganga’s banks, saving turtles is an act of faith

MEERUT: Sixty-four-year old Bheema is a resident of Makhdoompur village on the banks of the Ganga near Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary. He has no illusions about the difficult life his fellow villagers and he have to navigate. But Bheema and others like him have found a new outlet for their faith and hopes — saving turtles in the river. “Our […]

Three poachers held in buffer zone of Dudhwa reserve

SHAHJAHANPUR: Two weeks after golfer Jyoti Randhawa was arrested for poaching in Motipur range of Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, the forest department nabbed three poachers and two members of a timber mafia in the buffer area of the reserve on Saturday night. The poachers were caught while they were attempting to hunt […]

Africa is divided over ivory trade ahead of wildlife meeting

JOHANNESBURG: Several African countries with some of the largest elephant populations are calling for looser controls on legal ivory trade, while another group of countries on the continent say tighter controls are the best way to curb the illegal killing of elephants for their tusks. The dueling proposals reflect divisions within Africa over how to […]

Now, reaching Tadoba 15 minute late for safari will cost Rs500 fine

NAGPUR: After banning cell phones during safari, the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) has come out with another stringent rule imposing a fine of Rs500 on tourist vehicles arriving 15 minutes late. The logic behind introducing the rule is that tourists arrive late and then speed up vehicles to complete the safari in short time. This […]

Selfie tourism with elephants

Randhawa’s bail plea to be heard on January 7

SHAHJAHANPUR: A bail application was filed in the case of ace golfer Jyoti Randhawa in the district court of Bahraich on Wednesday. The court is set to take a decision on January 7 as adjournment was sought by the forest department. The bail applications of 13 accused arrested in December by officials of Dudhwa tiger […]

Human-Elephant conflict in Assam has taken a ‘disaster’ proportion

GUWAHATI: The main reason for such increase in the level of conflict is due to rapid decline of forest cover in parts of Assam, loss of traditional elephant movement paths due to linear infra-structure development projects and also due to human encroachment. The most effective way to lessen the pressure on Kaziranga is to develop and […]

Seven wolf puppies are the new attraction in Vandalur zoo

CHENNAI: Seven wolf puppies, which were released into the exhibit area are the new attraction in Vandalur zoo.

Sidhu’s gift of partridge to CM becomes govt property now

CHANDIGARH: The stuffed black partridge that Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu gifted to chief minister Amarinder Singh has become government property after the state forests and wildlife preservation department said that it could not be kept by an individual.   

Vandalur zoo conducts wildlife photography workshop

CHENNAI: Vandalur zoo in Chennai conducted a two-day workshop on wildlife photography for adults as part of the Zoo School programme. Renowned wildlife photographer Rathika Ramasamy conducted the classes. Basics of photography, art of composition, basics of wildlife photography and ethics of wildlife photography were some of the main topics that were covered on the […]

Arunachal’s Dibang could be India’s highest tiger habitat

GUWAHATI: A three-year camera trap study has reported the presence of tigers in the snow-clad Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh at the height of 3,630 metres.  It might be the highest spot at which the big cats have been sighted, but Aisho Sharma Adhikarimayum – a  (WII) scientist – believes that they may be present […]

Govt launches Asiatic Lions Conservation Project

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Thursday launched the ‘Asiatic Lion Conservation Project’ with an aim to protect and conserve the world’s last ranging free population of Asiatic Lion. The decision came two days after three Asiatic lions were run over by a goods train in Gir.  Here are the highlights of […]

At 460 Deaths, India Records Highest Leopard Mortality Rate In 2018

Poaching, road accidents and human-animal conflict are the main reasons for the increased mortality rate. The Indian leopard is listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. It is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Yami Gautam joins the fight against wildlife crime in India

Appointed Brand Ambassador for WWF-India and TRAFFIC India’s Super Sniffer (Wildlife Sniffer Dog) Programme Gwalior: Well-known Indian actress Yami Gautam was announced today as the Brand Ambassador for WWF-India and TRAFFIC India’s Super Sniffer Programme. Yami was present at the Super Sniffer Graduation Ceremony at the National Training Centre for Dog (NTCD), BSF Academy, Gwalior, where she […]

Over 3,500 mongoose hair brushes seized after raids in four states

NEW DELHI: More than 3,500 brushes made from mongoose hair have been seized from 13 different locations across the country, after the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau with the help of the Wildlife Trust of India, carried out raids across four states — Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. The brushes were being manufactured […]

Big cat dies at Sariska Tiger Reserve

ALWAR: ST-4, a 12-year-old tiger that sustained fatal injuries in a territorial fight with another feline a month ago, died in the Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) on Sunday.  

Delhi: 50 trafficked Indian star tortoises return home

NEW DELHI: The city-based NGO Wildlife SOS rescued and brought back 50 Indian star tortoises, which were trafficked to Singapore, to be sold at higher rates in the black market. The rescue was carried out with permission from the environment ministry, while Singapore Airlines was roped in to help in free transportation. The species is […]

Govt finalises Rs 351-crore package for lion conservation after spate of deaths

Leopard cub sneakes into Shimla, rescued by forest officials

Himachal Pradesh: A leopard cub was rescued by wildlife wing of the forest department from the parking area near judicial complex in Shimla. The leopard cub was hiding under a parked car and police were informed who then called forests officials. The rescue team reached the spot and captured the cub using a net instead […]

Corbett administration to allow night stay in popular Dhikala zone

NAINITAL: The Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) will allow day safari and night stay in the popular Dhikala zone from November 22. The five prominent zones of CTR— Bijrani, Dhela, Durga Devi, Gairal and Jhirna — had opened for tourists earlier this week, but visitors were disappointed as only day safaris were being permitted in these […]

Kurnool: Leopard found dead on tracks

Kurnool: A year-old leopard was found dead on the railway tracks near Chelima in the Nandyal forest division on Friday. She was hit by a train. It is suspected that the leopard had strayed from the nearby forests in search for food.

Cubs of Tigress Avni, shot for killing 13, spotted

NAGPUR: Days after T1 was shot dead on November 2, her cubs were sighted after a gap of 14 days by monitoring teams in the wee hours of Thursday at Vihirgaon. They were later spotted near the Anji dam. Like T1 was lured by tigress’ urine and Calvin Klein perfume in Borati for capture, the […]

Mumbai: 300 star tortoises stuffed into backpack rescued, 2 arrested

MUMBAI: Two men were arrested after they were caught with a creep of 300 star tortoises meant to be smuggled abroad. The star tortoises, also known as button tortoises, had been bundled in a very “claustrophobic” manner- some were stuffed into two tiny boxes and some in haversacks with hardly any ventilation. Also, the containers […]

Shooting from behind is not self defence

Gujarat: Asiatic lion enters farmer’s home near Amreli, forest department helps it out through backdoor

 There were around 15 family members in the house while at least 20 buffaloes and cattle were in the shed when the lion entered the farmer’s house. Dramatic scenes were witnessed in Patla village of Amreli district in Gujarat when an Asiatic lion entered a farmer’s house killing a buffalo calf and later sought refuge […]

Tigress Sundari in net after 2-week hunt

BHUBANESWAR: Having evaded forest officials for over two weeks since its second suspected human kill, tigress Sundari was on Tuesday tranquillised and captured at Majhipada in Satkosia Tiger Reserve of Odisha.  Kunki elephant Yoshada, who was brought to Satkosia from Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary for the purpose of tracking Sundari, helped the team of Wildlife Institute […]

Sharpshooter’s son may land in trouble for shooting T1 tigress

NAGPUR: Prima facie findings of post mortem of T1 seem to indicate that Asghar Ali Khan, son of Hyderabad-based sharpshooter Nawab Shafath Ali Khan, may land in trouble for shooting down the tigress. A seven-member team was formed for the post-mortem. It included regional manager FDCM JP Tripathi, NTCA AIG Hemant Kamdi, wildlife biologist Milind Pariwakam, Wildlife […]

Maneka Gandhi lashes out at Maharashtra govt over killing of tigress Avni

Highlights Gandhi in a series of tweets lashed out at the Maharashtra government for giving the orders to kill her despite opposition from several stakeholders She said she is going to take up the matter “very strongly” with Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis NEW DELHI: Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi on Sunday lashed […]

Maharashtra’s problem tigress T1 shot dead

Shot in cold blood, in violation of orders passed by the Supreme Court of India, and the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. NO effort made to tranquilize her, NO vet accompanied shooter in violation of norms & court orders. Fate of her CUBS unknown. She ‘had’ to be killed, not because she is […]

SC seeks Centre’s reply on plea for steps to protect leopards in India

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court sought response from the Centre on a plea seeking directions for “drastic and tough steps” to protect leopards which have seen a sharp dip in population on account of poaching and man-animal conflict. A bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur issued notice to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate […]

Maharashtra government diverts 88 hectare of tiger land for industry

The ‘Forest Advisory Committee’  clears the diversion of 87.98 hectares of forest land – tiger country – worth over Rs. 100 crores, to an explosives (!) company for a mere 7.09 crores. Survey reports indicate the presence of six tigers, including two males and females with cubs, and an equal number of leopards besides spotted […]

In 3 years, Guj lost 50 lions to avoidable accidents

AHMEDABAD: Even as Gujarat has come under international spotlight after the deaths of 23 lions recently due to canine distemper virus and babesiosis infections, analysis of lions death figures revealed that 20% of the 253 deaths between 2015 and 2018 were accidental and could have been avoided.  Fifty lions had died after being run over […]

Tiger kills 2 in 4 days in maha as it travels 220 km in 60 days

Nagpur: A tiger, which dispersed 220km in over 60 days from Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS) in search of new territory, claimed a second life in four days on Tuesday. The incident happened in Dhamangaon Railway in Amravati district putting a question mark on the safety of villagers as well as tigers outside protected […]

Three lion cubs found dead in Guj

RAJKOT: The carcasses of three lion cubs were found in Khadadhar revenue area in Khambha taluka of Amreli on Monday. Forest department claimed that the cubs died during infighting between male lions. All the three cubs were between four to five months old. An official statement issued by forest department stated: “Canine teeth marks have […]

Maharashtra tigress raising five cubs in a ‘non-tiger’ zone

NAGPUR: In what wildlife experts say is a rare occurrence, a tigress is rearing five cubs born to her nearly a year ago on the outskirts of Chandrapur town in Maharashtra. This is perhaps the first time such an event has been recorded in a non-protected area that doesn’t fall under any tiger reserve or […]

Gir opens for tourists from Today!

After four months of monsoon vacation, Gir Sanctuary opens for visitors from 16th October. Only advance online permits are issued. The official link is: <girlion.in>

Meet the warriors who helped save the Asiatic lions of Gir

Highlights Canine distemper virus (CDV) and babesiosis began ravaging the lion population in Gir from September-end. So far, 23 lions have died.  According to the May 2015 census, the state had 523 lions.  Local volunteers have intensified efforts to protect the Gir icons. GIR/AHMEDABAD: Their enthusiasm to volunteer is spurred by lion-hearted pride; they are […]

1,500 lions will be killed in South Africa this year so that Asia can have its fill of ‘tiger bone’

Lions are a lucrative business in South Africa. Forget the earnings from tourists in Kruger National Park, hundreds of ‘lion farms’ have been attracting trophy hunters- mainly from US-since the late 1990s. Two years ago, when the US banned the import of lion trophies, the farms turned their attention to hunters in poorer places like […]

In three years, leopard population swells to 2,500 in Karnataka

There are around 2,500 leopards in Karnataka, double the number estimated in the 2015 tiger census, as per the first-ever estimates of the spotted cat conducted in the state by the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the state forest department . While the latest estimation covered entire states, the 2015 exercise that estimated 1,129 leopards in […]

The Gir Lion by Ravi Chellam

Lions are territorial and organise themselves into groups, called prides, whose members interact peacefully with each other. The core group of a pride consists of closely related lioness and their offspring. A group of male lions numbering between two to seven may associate with with one or more such female groups. These male groups are […]

Make sense of shooting modes on Cameras

Lion Deaths in Gir: Demanding fair probe, outfit calls for bandh

The call for bandh comes after 23 Asiatic lions died between September 12 and September 29. All the deaths were reported from Sarasiya Vidi area in Dalkhaniya range of Gir (east) division forest. Demanding a fair probe into the deaths of 23 Asiatic lions in Gir, Bajrang Group, a charitable organisation, gave a call for […]

Guide to Camera and Lenses

 A beginner in the field of photography, must practice to take all sorts of photographs initially and then specialise in the field that interests him most. For a beginner it is recommended that the camera and lens initially purchased should be for general purpose. Some of the most sought after fields of photography are as […]

JPEG VS RAW

  When it comes to your photography, however, you are the ultimate decision maker on what is best. I recommend that, if you haven’t, you play with the Raw format. In fact, a great test is to go out just to shoot something (even just in the backyard or around the block). Shoot several photographs […]

Understanding different Metering Modes

In the Full Auto, Program AE or any shooting mode, the correct exposure is obtained by measuring the brightness of the light entering the camera. Measuring the brightness is called Metering, and the camera has multiple metering modes. Changing the metering modes alters the exposure for the same scene.      

Capturing birds in flight

Just as nature and wildlife have the capacity to inspire and intrigue, so does photography. Bird photography is a fantastic way to combine being outdoors and photographing the natural world, be it for documentation or for artistic purposes. The colour and texture of birds’ plumage makes them fascinating subjects for photography, made all the more […]

The wildlife photographer’s code of field ethics

Though it is impossible to tell how exactly an animal will react to your presence, yet a basic knowledge and understanding of animal behaviour will ensure that the animal does not suffer distress simply so that a photograph can be taken. A wildlife photographer must put the welfare of the animal ahead of getting the […]

With his wolf whistle, Konkan man turns ‘Pied Piper’ and sways crocodiles out of river

Charatkar of Insuli village in Sindhudurg district has a rapport with the crocodiles. The 38-year-old poultry trader says he has been feeding crocodiles chicken meat for more than a decade. He feeds the crocodiles twice a week. Charatkar’s relationship with the reptiles started when he spotted two babies close in the river and started feeding them. […]

Ahmed Patel writes to PM Modi over deaths of Gir lions

GANDHINAGAR: Ahmed Patel, Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat  has written a letter to the prime minister Narendra Modi over the lions’ in the state and requested him to take quick action. Patel, in his letter to Modi, wrote, More than 23 of them have died in last three weeks and over 180 since 2016. The […]

Gujarat to shift lions from Gir to Barda

The decision comes amid shocking deaths of 23 of a 26-strong pride of lions from the deadly CDV and babesiosis infection outbreak in Gir Ganpat Vasava, forest and environment minister, said: “We’ve decided to fast-track the shifting of lions to Barda Dungar. This will be their second home within the state” The state has come under […]

The key to success

Wildlife photography is an art and camera techniques and photographic skills are not enough. A passion for nature and understanding of its ways are essential to taking good photographs. While taking images of animals some fundamental discipline is required. A vertical format will emphasize the subjects features while a horizontal format is more likely to […]

For lion raksha, cows to be immunized in Gujarat

GANDHINAGAR: Following the death of 23 lions — 11 of which were felled by viral infections — the Gujarat cabinet has directed the animal husbandry department to immunize all the cattle in 100-odd villages around the Gir sanctuary.    

Amid Asiatic lion deaths at Gir forest, special vaccines arrive from US to protect the endangered big cats

Junagarh: To protect the world’s last remaining Asiatic lions, a vaccine for more than 500 of the big cats in and around the Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat have reached India from the United States. Officials of the Forest Department of Gujarat have arrived in Mumbai to get hold of the crucial shots, which are likely […]

Vasundhra Raje to ‘gift’ leopard safari to wildlife enthusiasts

JAIPUR: Leopard safari at Jhalana, which has hogged limelight on the international circuit of wildlife lovers, will be inaugurated by chief minister Vasundhra Raje. The project has been developed under the state government’s ambitious Project Leopard, a first in the country. The wildlife safari, which was a pending proposal during the Congress government, is said to be […]

23 dead in 20 days: What’s killing Gujarat’s lions?

A 26-member strong pride of the endangered Asiatic lions in Gujarat has almost been wiped out with 23 lions dying in the last 20 days and the three surviving members of the pride battling for life. The lions succumbed to the deadly infection of canine distemper virus (CDV) and tick-borne babesiosis. The Gir sanctuary in […]

Lion safari at Nahargarh open for public from Wednesday

JAIPUR: Wildlife tourism in the state will reach a new high as forest department is set to introduce a lion safari at the Nahargarh Biological Park for wildlife enthusiasts, residents and tourists from Wednesday.  Forest minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar inaugurated the lion safari in September. The forest department will now finally throw open the park […]

10 more Gir lions die one by one in 10 days, total toll up to 21

All 10 Asiatic lions, rescued from the Dalkhaniya Range in Amreli district following the death of 11 big cats, have died at the Jasadhar animal care centre. The lions succumbed one after another between September 20 and September 30, sending a shockwave in Asia’s solitary abode for lions. RAJKOT/AHMEDABAD: All 10 Asiatic lions, rescued from […]

South African lion cubs conceived artificially in world first

The two cubs, a male and female, born on August 25 are healthy and normal. Lions are extinct in 26 African countries and numbers in the wild have plummeted 43 percent over the last two decades, with roughly only 20,000 left, according to the IUCN. BRITS (South Africa): Watching the two little lion cubs boisterously […]

Carcass of elephant calf found in Corbett

NAINITAL: A carcass of a two-month-old elephant was recovered from Sarpudali range of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR). The post-mortem has been conducted to determine the cause of death of the calf and a final report is awaited.  The post-mortem has been conducted and we are yet to receive a report.” Corbett officials claimed that the […]

Man eater of Maharashtra not to be shot immediately

NAGPUR :Finally, in a breather for T1, the problem tigress of Pandharkawda, forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has agreed to keep away Hyderabad sharpshooter Nawab Shafath Ali Khan, to give a fair chance to tranquillise the big cat. At a meeting in Mumbai, state’s chief wildlife warden AK Misra and additional PCCF (wildlife) Sunil Limaye managed to convince […]

Clash of prides left 11 lions dead in Gir, says Gujarat govt

Highlights: Six cubs, three lionesses and two lions were found dead between September 12 and September 19. The deaths of the endangered big cats were all of natural causes brought on by injuries sustained in a fight over territory GANDHINAGAR: The deaths of 11 lions and lionesses in just eight days was the grim but […]

No foul play in Gir lion deaths: Gujarat forest dept

GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat forest department on Friday claimed that the death of 11 lions over the past eight days in the state’s Gir Sanctuary was due to infighting and liver problems, and not foul play. The carcasses of 11 lions were found from Gir (East) forest range. Nine of these were found in the Dalkhaniya range and two were […]

Tiger, lion safari to start in Hampi from November

BENGALURU: Tourists in Hampi will soon enjoy tiger and lion safari. The safari will start in November at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park of Hampi during Hampi Utsav. Hampi will become third safari destination in Karnataka after Bannerghatta and Tavarekoppa of Shimoga. Two lions and two tigers will be brought from Bannerghatta and Mysuru. The […]

Second leopard dies at SGNP rescue centre

MUMBAI: A 10-year-old male leopard named Bhandara died at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park rescue centre on Monday night following an acute illness. This is the second leopard death at the SGNP rescue centre in the past six days. Last week, a 10-month-old sub-adult male leopard, Suraj, had also died in a similar fashion. The SGNP director and chief […]

Barn owl rescued from school building in Rudrapur

RUDRAPUR: An adult barn owl (Tyto Alba), a scheduled animal under the Wildlife Protection Act, was rescued from the building of a school in Bhagwanpur village on Kashipur Road on Friday morning. The protected bird was handed to the forest department staff later. Pran Chaddha, a wildlife enthusiast, said that finding a barn owl in a populated area was […]

Two sanctuaries get wildlife board’s nod for expansion

JAIPUR: The State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) on Thursday gave its nod for expansion of two sanctuary areas in the state by adjoining reserve forest blocks. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by the environment and forest minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar. Sitamata Sanctuary in Pratapgarh district and Jaisamand Sanctuary Udaipur are the two sanctuaries slated for expansion. […]

PTR puts two cages to trap killer leopards

PILIBHIT :Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) authorities have set up two cages to trap two leopards which have been spotted in half a dozen villages on the Indo-Nepal border near Barahi range over the past one month. According to villagers, the leopards have so far killed more than a dozen livestock, including goats, heifers, and cows. The […]

4 from Bijnor who killed elephant, cut it into pieces held

NOIDA: Three months after it was set up, the Uttar Pradesh Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (UPWCCB) has cracked its first case — the brutal killing of a 25-year-old female elephant  in Bijnor early this year. Four people have been arrested for the crime, officials said on Wednesday. However, 12 others are still at large. HV Girish, head of UPWCCB, told TOI […]

Government brings in rule book for pet shops to prevent abuse

MUMBAI: New pet shop rules setting standards for animal housing and care are now in place in India. The ministry of environment, forests and climate change has now notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) rules, 2018, in the wake of a series of representations made by animal rights groups Humane Society International/India […]

The hunt is on for the man eater of Maharashtra

PANDHARKAWADA: The first victim was an older woman, discovered facedown in a cotton field with huge claw marks dug into her back. The next was an older male farmer, his left leg torn off. The killings have gone on for more than two years, sowing panic in the hills around Pandharkawada, a town in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal […]

Challenging star Darshan encourages people to save wildlife

Challenging star Darshan has taken up the initiative to raise awareness among people to protect the environment and wildlife. The actor, who is a brand ambassador of the Forest Department, has sought to raise awareness about the conservation and protection of wildlife in his own way. According to reports, the star will be photographing animals in the wild […]

8,000kg shark fins worth Rs 45 crore seized, four arrested

MUMBAI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 8,000kg shark fins worth Rs 45 crore and arrested four persons who were running an export racket. A DRI official said around 16,000 sharks would have been killed to obtain the 8-tonne consignment, which was declared as dried ray skin. In 2015, India prohibited export of shark […]

Now experience life in wild with responsibly

NEW DELHI: The Centre has brought out a policy for eco-tourism in forest and wildlife areas, seeking to develop tourism in wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and other conservation reserves and encourage “homestead-based” hospitality enterprises in protected areas to create jobs for forest dwellers and other local people. The eco-tourism policy formalises the ‘homestead’ concept which allows […]

No threat no fear

The lions laze in the sun, unconcerned with the group of tourists.There is a feeling of quiet power in their eyes.

Mating rounds

The mating rounds Spread over a period of four to five days, lion and lioness come together to mate, several times a day. The mating game lasts only a few minutes each time. The GESTATION period for a FEMALE lion is ABOUT 105 – 110 days. The LIONESS will have a LITTER of about 2 […]

Family Time

Lions are the only big cats to live in groups, called prides. Prides are close family groups. Despite the big cats’ ferocity, a lion pride operates as a true family & lionesses often give birth at the same time, raising & even nursing all the cubs communally, showing no favoritism for their own offspring.

Human-sized cages in corner of tiger enclosures to save you in case of fall

In 2014, a man was attacked by a tiger when he fell into its enclosure. He eventually succumbed to his injuries. NEW DELHI: Almost four years after a man fell inside the white tiger enclosure at the Delhi zoo and was mauled to death, the authorities are taking steps to prevent any such event in […]

How a plan to save Kenya’s rhino left 11 dead in historic blunder

It was a disaster that left wildlife lovers around the globe appalled and baffled. Eleven of Kenya’s precious black rhinos were transferred to a new home in what was supposed to be a routine operation in a country fabled for its conservation. So how did all of them end up dead? The primary cause of […]

Puppy love: Lion, tigers and hyenas reared by dog at Chinese zoo

BEIJING: A lion, tigers and spotted hyenas are growing up alongside Golden Retriever puppies at a Beijing zoo after being abandoned by their mothers. The Beijing Wildlife Park put the eight cubs, including Siberian tigers, a white tiger, spotted hyenas and an African lion, to nurse with a Golden Retriever, alongside her own puppies. Wang […]

Wildlife NGO gets international award for conservation efforts in India

AGRA: India-based wildlife conservation charity ‘Wildlife SOS’ has been felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award and ‘Conservation Medal’ by San Diego Zoo Global at their annual ‘Friends of the Animals’ event. The award was presented by San Diego Zoo Global’s President / CEO Douglas G Myers for their “dedicated conservation efforts” since 1995 when Wildlife SOS […]

Two Rare Tiger Cubs Born To ‘Mixed Parents’ In Delhi Zoo Die Within 10 Days

Two tiger cubs, which were born in Delhi Zoo to ‘mixed’ pair after 27 years on August 15 has died within ten days, the Zoo officials have said. The cubs were born to three-year-old white tigress Nirbhaya and five-year-old Royal Bengal tiger Karan. The first cub, a female died on August 18 while the second […]

Utrakhand High Court directs NTCA to manage Jim Corbett park for 3 months

Nanital: Expressing dissatisfaction at the steps taken by the state government to protect tigers, Uttarakhand high court (HC) on Thursday asked the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) if it can take over the reserve’s management for three months. “As an extreme step, we seek the response of the NTCA, being an expert body, to take […]

A’zombie gene’ protects elephants from cancer?

With such enormous bodies, elephants should be particularly prone to tumors. But an ancient gene in their DNA, somehow resurrected, seems to shield the animals. Elephants ought to get a lot of cancer. They’re huge animals, weighing as much as eight tons. It takes a lot of cells to make up that much elephant. All […]

2-Cubs born to ‘mixed pair’ at Delhi zoo

Morning after losing oldest tigress, Delhi zoo wakes up to 2 new cubs. After death came new life. Gloom had descended on Delhi zoo after its oldest tigress, Priya, died of old age-related problems on Tuesday. She was 25 years old. On the morning of 72nd Independence Day, sadness had been replaced by delight when […]

Kaziranga not flooded yet, officials worried

Guwahati: Barely a month is left for the monsoon to retreat and Kaziranga is yet to experience the annual flood that helps sustain its fragile ecology. Park authorities are worried as plant and animal life in the World Heritage Site are intrinsically linked to the deluge which helps recharge over 200 wetlands and revitalise grasslands. […]

Up close & Personel

Lions usually are good natured, they even thrill visitors by allowing them to take pictures from close quarters.  

Leopard cub enters hut, dozes off besides 2 kids

Nashik: It was the crack of dawn, Manisha Barde returned to her hut. Snuggling between her 2 small kids, asleep under the mosquito net was a leopard cub. A leopard cub had sneaked into the hut- The cub then made its way into the mosquito net and, probably comforted by the warmth of the bed, […]

India’s first genetic bank for wildlife conservation

HYDERABAD: In a step that would further the cause of conservation of endangered and protected animals, India got its first scientific and most modern national wildlife genetic resource bank. The bank that contains genetic resources of about 250 wildlife species was dedicated to the nation by union minister of science and technology Harsh Vardhan at […]

Heat wave prompts Flamingos to lay first eggs in 15 years

In a feat attributed to recent heat wave that swept across Europe, rare Andean flamingos at a wetlands reserve in Slimbridge, Britain, have laid eggs for the first time in 15 years. The exotic birds are ‘fickle breeders’ and can go years without nesting successfully. Unfortunately  none of the eggs are viable, so no new […]

Elephant tusk is the property of the government under S. 39 (1) (c) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972

    Elephant tusk is the property of the government under S. 39 (1) (c) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.   Wild Life Warden Vs Komarrikal Elias- 2018 SSC Online 601, dated 8-5-18 In a recent judgement a Full Bench of the Supreme Court has held that any article related to animal hunted […]

Hippo bite kills Taiwan tourist in Kenya

A hippo has killed a Taiwanese tourist and injured another after they attempted to photograph the animal at a Kenyan wildlife resort. The BBC reports that the 66-year-old man, Chang Ming Chuang, was stalking the animal on Lake Naivasha – 56 miles (90km) north-west of Nairobi. Stood on the shore of the lake, the man was reportedly taking photographs before […]

Happy World Elephant Day!

Today, 12th August – is World Elephant Day! Here are some amazing facts about these large animals. Our country, once the home to a large elephant population widely distributed across most states, now has fragmented populations because of excessive habitat loss, subsequent conflict with human beings and poaching for their tusks. Yet, we need these […]

237 tigers died in last 2 years, govt tells LS

New Delhi: The government informed the Lok Sabha that 237 tigers died in the country in the last 2 years. It said 23% of deaths from 2012 to 2017 were due to poaching and 55% due to natural causes. Junior environment minister Mahesh Sharma said 7% of the deaths was due to unnatural causes not attributable […]

A view to a kill

Celebrating The Lion King

London Zoo is celebrating World Lion Day August 10) in style, with the big cats being part of an event involving boxing and biting colourful balls.  

HAPPY WORLD LION DAY!

World Lion Day is celebrated for the animal kingdom’s most beautiful and fearsome creature, the king of the jungle, the lion. This day was founded by ‘Big Cat Rescue’ to pay tribute to this apex predator. It is celebrated on 10th August to spread awareness about the conservation issues that lions face, raise funds for […]

No Safety For Wildlife During Natural Diaster

During the third week of July, there were heavy rains all over the State. The wildlife, especially the ground flora and fauna, was gravely affected during such stormy weather. The villages like Khalikot, Rambha, Ashika, Buguda, Balipadar of Ganjam district are very famous for growing Krushnasar or black buck.In Balipadar area, the locals protect the […]

Gir Lion

The Gir National Park, as everyone knows, is the last abode of the remaining 400 or more Asiatic Lions left alive on the planet. Master of all he surveys – royalty personified, the lion exudes an aura of superiority with utter disdain for other creatures. Being so completely self-centered, he leaves caring for his progeny […]

If state government can’t protect Corbett tigers, shall we ask the Army?: Uttarakhand HC

NAINITAL: Uttarakhand high court on Thursday taking a strict stand on death of tigers in the state warned the state government that ”if no categorical assurance for the deployment of Special Tiger Protection Force in Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) is given, we may be constrained to request the ministry of defence to deploy the Eco […]

No leopard spotted for months in Asola Bhatti: State to Centre

Tigress dies of snake bite in Guj Zoo

RAJKOT : A 12-year-old tigress ‘Bhumi’ died due to snakebite in Pradyuman Park zoo run by the Rajkot municipal corporation (RMC). The tigress was brought from Vadodara zoo to Rajkot in 2010. According to zoo authorities, a viper snake bit the tigress in the cage. Zoo superintendent R K Hirpara said, “In monsoon, snakes generally come out […]

Farmers, Activists Seek Effective Steps To Tackle Human-Wildlife Conflict

The Government may have established a migration commission to carry out academic exercises on the burning issue of migration but nothing concrete has been done to address the problem of damage caused to agriculture by wild animals. The elected members of legislative assembly must spend a portion of their local area development fund on measures […]

Tiger quenching his thirst

Tiger quenching his thirst… A tiger realises that it will be futile to hunt while the whole jungle is alert. He walks to a waterhole to cool down.

Elephant Calf Dies At Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary

An elephant calf died after suffering injuries when it accidently came close to a fight between two adult tuskers inside the Dalma wildlife sanctuary. According to Dalma range officer R.P. Singh, tusk of one of the elephants had hit deep into the calf’s abdomen leading to death. Notably Dalma is the best elephant habitat of […]

Sighting a lion in Gir

Sighting a lion in Gir would pump as much adrenaline into my system as it would be for first- time wildlifer’s. But the real joy, the real purpose of visiting Gir is to walk on the same soil and breathe the same air as nature’s living works of art.  

Tiger couple clicks in zoo, cubs on cards

Experiment after 27 years NEW DELHI: Months after the unique mating of a white tigress with a royal Bengal tiger at the Delhi zoo, there may be good news on the cards. According to sources at the zoo, the white tigress is pregnant and is expected to deliver soon. The 3-year old white tigress Nirbhaya […]

Bihar to conduct dolphin count, WTI partners to conserve river biodiversity

Bihar government has recently commissioned a population estimation survey of the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica ganegtica) – declared as National Aquatic Animal in 2009, in about 1000 km river stretch of the Ganga and its two major tributaries in Bihar – the Gandak and Ghaghra.  Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has partnered with the state government […]

Tips On Designing Wildlife Pictures

Balancing the visual components of your picture is fine, but try to avoid too much symmetry. This tends to detract from the subject matter and can split the picture into distinct halves. Keep compositions simple with one main focal point or dominant point of emphasis. Always check for unwanted background clutter and highlights before you […]

Photographic Tips for upcoming Wildlife Photographer

Wildlife photography is gaining in popularity for photographers of all skill levels. Photography is becoming a passion of more and more people every day. Plus, you get to spend time outside photographing all the beautiful animals that inhabit the earth. Photographic Tips for upcoming Wildlife Photographer 1. Light is the key to good photography. Shoot […]

Patrolling to cut man-animal conflicts in wildlife corridors

Road agencies told to sponsor heavy patrolling Agencies constructing roads and other infrastructure projects within wildlife corridors and protected areas will have to sponsor intensive patrolling along these stretches to ensure there is no human-animal conflict during the time such projects are being undertaken. This decision was taken by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) […]

Three wildlife poachers and traders arrested in Chattisgarh

RAIPUR: Three suspected wildlife poachers and traders were arrested and the skin of a leopard and other body parts were seized from them in Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund district. The poachers were identified as Anjan Singh, Mithlesh Bariha and Lalit Dhruv. The police had information that the three, natives of different villages of the district were looking […]

Amur Leopard

STATUS Critically Endangered POPULATION More than 84 individuals SCIENTIFIC NAME Panthera pardus orientalis WEIGHT 70 -105 pounds HABITATS Temperate,Broadleaf & mixed forests Similar to other leopards, the Amur leopard can run at speeds of up to 37 miles per hour. This incredible animal has been reported to leap more than 19 feet horizontally and up […]

Entire animal kingdom declared ‘living persons’; citizens ‘persons in loco parentis’: Uttaranchal HC

Uttaranchal High Court: A Division Bench comprising of Rajiv Sharma and Lok Pal Singh, JJ. while deciding a pro bono publico petition, the scope of which was enlarged by the Court for protection and welfare of animals, declared entire animal kingdom as legal entities having a distinct persona. The petitioner sought restriction on movement of horse carts/tongas from […]

Assam rolls out rhino protection force

GUWAHATI: Assam government on Wednesday rolled out an exclusive rhino protection force to protect the animal, which is frequently being killed by poachers for their horns. Between 2015 and 2017, poachers have killed 74 rhinos in the three natural habitats at Kaziranga, Orang and Manas. In the current year, already four have been killed. The […]

Photographing wild animals

If you really want to learn how to take stunning wildlife images, then devote your spare time to learning about animal behaviour. Great wildlife photography is about anticipating the moment and being ready for action. Spend some time observing the behaviour of the animal, watch to see whether it is easily startled, or whether it […]

Tiger-Centric Tourism

It is sad that wildlife tourism in India – with the exception of serious birdwatcher segments- has become so  tiger- centric. It is disappointing to hear tourists return from a wildlife sanctuary saying they “saw nothing”-  which only means they did not see a tiger.      

Dress To Unimpress

Wear practical and water resistant clothing that protects against the habitat you’re working in. Patterned camouflage isn’t essential-just wear natural tones, such as green, brown, tan and khaki. Pockets should have zips, not Velcro, which is noisy, and you should avoid materials that produce noise when rubbed. As a general rule, natural fibres, such as […]

Ailing wildlife species need immediate attention

India has identified four more ailing wildlife species—Northern river terrapin (Batagur Baska) Clouded Leopard, Red Panda and Arabian Sea Humpback Whale — that need immediate intervention for conservation. Enlisted in Schedule-I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 which accords them the highest degree of protection, these four endangered species have now been brought under […]

World’s first test-tube rhino created to bring back sub-species from extinction

When the last male Northern White Rhinoceros, 45-year-old Sudan, died in March it looked like the end of the sub-species was nigh. With only two females alive, and no breeding partners left, the rhino was functionally extinct, and just a few years away from dying out entirely. But in a world first, scientists have created a test-tube rhino […]

Rare species of owls return to Delhi after 70 years, birders excited

NEW DELHI: For centuries, Delhi remained the natural home for rare species of owls. But as pollution levels increased over the past decade, they began to abandon their habitat here and migrated to other more hospitable regions. Now with the forest department running a campaign to create favourable conditions for their homecoming, rare species of […]

Kenya announces death penalty for poachers

 Elephants and rhinoceros are among the most threatened species in Kenya, as their tusks and horns make them prime targets to poachers  It’s illegal to kill the endangered animals in Kenya, and the Wildlife Conservation Act, put in place in 2013, carries a life sentence or fine of $200,000 for offenders; however, the sentences weren’t […]

Gharials bless the Gandak river with gen next

Gharial – the fish-eating long-snouted crocodilian is bolstering its population in the Gandak River flowing through the plains of the northern state of Bihar. Started in 2014, the project funded by the Environment &amp; Forests Department, Government of Bihar aims at recovery of Gharial in the Gandak River, known as Narayani in Nepal.  The project […]

Heat affects water holes for wildlife

While also posing problems for the public, the rising heat in the atmosphere is showing its effect on the natural and man-made pools for elephants and other wildlife in the Haridwar area. The forest department has also started feeling the heat with no water tankers available to replenish the water holes made for wild animals.

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright In the forest of the night- William Blake Perhaps the most feared of predators, the tiger can be quite a gentleman. He wouldn’t bother you unless you bothered him and even then, he may just do a mock charge to warn and scare you away. But if he hasn’t eaten for […]

A Morning in the Forest

A Morning in the Forest A star broke from its moorings in the sky, a cannon ball was fired, Red hot streaking the sky it flew, River Ganga burst forth from her mountain fastness, Lord Ram’s arrow flew from his bow string, As the antlered stag jumped across the river in fright, Standing there was […]

Trains to slow down to avoid wildlife fatalities on tracks

Considering the accidental deaths of wild animals especially elephants on the railway track in the Tanda forest region, the Forest Department and Railway officials held a meeting and decided to take measure to prevent such fatalities. It was decided that such accident prone tracks will be identified, sign boards will be put up and the […]

Now, just scan your mobile for a Corbett safari

NAINITAL: Forget early morning queues, settings with touts and the hassles of paperwork for booking a Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) safari, just click on your mobile to book the night stay and day trip now. A web portal is being set up by the National Informatics Centre that will enable visitors to book permits online […]

Staff Crunch Hits Wildlife Crime Probing Agency

While poaching and wildlife crime are on the rise with high-tech criminals posing new threats online, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), a Central wildlife crime investigation agency, is grappling with lack of staff. Of 109 sanctioned posts, at least 38 are lying vacant. Shockingly, the Bureau, an arm of the Union Environment Ministry, which […]

Roadwatch app saving wildlife from deathtraps

Wildlife enthusiasts throughout India are updating about injured animals on RoadWatch — an android mobile application. The mobile app has recorded the data base of nearly 700 different animals that were injured on different stretches across the country. Figures compiled through the RoadWatch app have revealed staggering facts that the number of animals being killed […]

Wildlife crimes in Odisha rampant

The recent conviction of Salman Khan for blackbuck poaching might bring cheer to many wildlife lovers, but Odisha continues to be slack in awarding punishment to wildlife offenders. The lack of conviction in cases has spurred wildlife criminals. Wildlife Society of Orissa secretary Dr Biswajit Mohanty pointed out that the Forest Department’s role is of […]

Wildlife smuggler held in Kanpur

Sleuths of Special Task Force (STF)  have arrested a wildlife smuggler in Kanpur and recovered 27 kilograms of turtle soft shell from him. The arrested person was identified as Saleem Sheikh. He was taken into custody and a case was registered against him. On search, the STF team recovered 27 kilograms of turtle soft shell […]

SC seeks Centre’s reply on plea for steps to protect leopards in India

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court  sought response from the Centre on a plea seeking directions for “drastic and tough steps” to protect leopards which have seen a sharp dip in population on account of poaching and man-animal conflict. A bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur issued notice to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and […]