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Tokay Gecko Enlisted under Wildlife (Protection) Act

12/31/2013

Source: E-pao.net

Taking cognizance of the impending threat to the survival of Tokay Gecko (Gecko Gecko), a lizard of Gekkoniodae family, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has finally provided legal protection to the species by enlisting the species under Schedule-IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 .

A notification to this effect was issued by the Additional Director General of Forests (WL) and Director, Wildlife Preservation, MoEF, Government of India on December 6 last, according to a statement issued by Th Ibobi Singh, Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Manipur.

Under the same notification, the status of Hog Deer (Axis porcinus), locally known as Kharsa, has also been upgraded from Schedule-III to Schedule-I.Now the offence to this species is punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than three years but may extend up to seven years and with fine, the notification added.

Tiger Management is Becoming High Tech, and So Is Poaching

12/31/2013

Source: Deccanherald.com

By Avani Kumar Verma

It is the usual tiger time again. On the one hand, the media, people and officials are going ga-ga over few direct tiger sightings reported from all over India in the ongoing Tiger Census.

On the other are the grim reminders of the human-tiger conflict that has resurfaced in the form of recent happenings in Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks in Karnataka which have reported five cases of human killings by tigers in the last one month keeping the authorities and villagers on tenterhook.

The problem seems to be far from over despite catching one such alleged murderous animal. These incidents have prompted the state government to undertake a long over due measure of setting up a dedicated staff of sharp shooters and trained departmental vets to tackle above type of exigencies. This ought to have been done long back. Nevertheless this step will instill confidence among people in the villages living on forest fringes that have been on war path with the forest department.

Then there were media reports in Karnataka of about 400 cameras being donated by a global tech service provider for fixing them in one of the prime national parks of the state to ostensibly closely monitor the health and well-being of the 60-odd tigers reported to be living in the above-mentioned national park. It is a moot point whether such an invasion in the privacy of tiger land is ecologically and scientifically desirable. There is another small matter that some of such donors have tourism and resort running interests. But these are beside the point.

What is noteworthy is that the tiger management is becoming high tech with the use of camera traps, GPS path finders, DNA mapping and the likes becoming essential tool-kits of the foresters and wild life managers. And why not? Are we not living in the age where technology is paramount and not seen being with it would make one feel not only out of the league but would perhaps be suicidal. So it is good that a lot of emphasis is being given to technology in wild life management in general and tiger management in particular.

But it would be of utmost importance to not only train and upgrade the skills of the staff in the usage of the modern tools but also in its proper maintenance. More....

Gujarat Government to Undertake Census of Great Indian Bustard

12/31/2013

Source: Economictimes.Indiatimes.com

The Gujarat government will soon undertake a census of the Great Indian Bustard, one of the most critically endangered flying bird species in the world, to ascertain its exact population.

"The count of the Great Indian Bustard will be undertaken in January-February to know its population," Gujarat Principal Chief Wildlife Conservator of Forest (PCCF) C N Pandey said.

The exercise has been undertaken even in the past, Pandey said, adding that it is expected to give a realistic picture of the dwindling population of the species.

The survey count, Pandey said, will be undertaken by the state forest department, various scientific organisations, Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and nature clubs.

He said that in the last survey, 45-50 Great Indian Bustards were spotted in Kutch district of Gujarat.

"We are expecting the number of the species to rise in the current census. However, the count may not be an exact representation as the Great Indian Bustard keeps on moving locally within a radius of 50-100 km, making it difficult for surveyors to count their heads," he said.

"The actual count of the bird would be slightly more than what the survey report would generally indicate," he said.

Pandey, however, stated that the census would give a fair indication of whether the species is adapting to the changing habitat or not.

Though the Great Indian Bustard, as per International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world's largest global environmental organisation, is built to survive in harsh weather conditions, they have been exterminated from almost 90 per cent of their former range owing to loss of habitat and poaching. More....

Rela Members Help Wildlife Poachers

12/31/2013

Source: Malaysiandigest.com

Wildlife poaching syndicates have been running wild in the jungles of Kelantan, hunting down endangered animals, such as tigers and elephants, in Jeli and Kuala Krai.

However, it has emerged that the syndicates have been getting a helping hand from People's Volunteer Corp (Rela) members.

It was learnt that the syndicates, from outside the state, have been engaging Rela members as trackers for their activities, with a lucrative payday awaiting the members in the event of a good haul.

Rela members not only lead the syndicates to their prizes, but also offer them the use of their government-issued firearms to kill animals.

Sources said the Wildlife Department had identified at least three groups, all of which have one or two Rela members in each group.

They are joined in their hunt by syndicate members from other states and foreigners.

"The activity has been going on for at least five years. It is an easy job for the Rela men as they have the firearm licences and are also familiar with the local jungle. That is why their services are much sought after by the syndicates."

It is believed that the discovery of carcasses of a tiger and four leopards in a taxi in Tumpat in September was linked to one of the groups. The taxi driver has been charged and faces 25 years in prison.

A former state wildlife director said poaching was not so serious in the past but it had become rampant lately, especially in the Gunong Basor forest reserve in Jeli.

"Most of the wildlife killed are tigers and elephants. They are hunted for their skin, tusks and other organs, which are smuggled to Thailand and onward to other countries, including China. More....

Sri Lanka, India to Exchange Detained Fishermen

12/31/2013

Source: TimesofIndia.Indiatimes.com

An exchange of 18 fishermen detained by Sri Lanka and India will take place soon, the Sri Lankan Navy said on Tuesday.

Six Indian fishermen and two trawlers will be handed over to authorities off the coast of Kankesanturai in the north, naval spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

Twelve Sri Lankan fishermen and their two trawlers would be released by India, he said.

An Indian Coast Guard vessel will bring the Sri Lankan fishermen, Warnakulasuriya said.

It could not immediately be ascertained when the exchange would be made.

The Tamil Nadu government has been mounting pressure on the centre to take strong action against Sri Lanka for detaining fishermen.

Sri Lanka claims that the Indians repeatedly cross the International Maritime Boundary and indulge in "poaching" in its territorial waters despite warnings from the navy.

The Lankan Navy arrested a total of 40 fishermen in the last two days while they were fishing in the Palk Strait.

The families of Sri Lankan fishermen held in India accuse the government here of failing to take swift action to secure their release.

Anti-Poaching Camps On High Alert

12/31/2013

Source: Thehindu.com

By R. Krishna Kumar

‘Those held on Sunday could be part of a wider network’
Anti-poaching camps at Bandipur have stepped up their vigil inside the national park following the arrest of 10 people from near the BRT Wildlife Sanctuary on Sunday.

Those held for poaching are from Madhya Pradesh. Wildlife activists suspect that they could be part of a wider network that may have spread its dragnet in the south, as similar gangs from Katni and Satna, also in Madhya Pradesh, were nabbed a few years ago from Nagarahole.

All 46 anti-poaching camps operating inside Bandipur are on high alert. The area under each camp’s jurisdiction is being combed to ascertain if there are snares or other traps for wild animals.

Instructions

Conservator of Forests H.C. Kantharaj, who is also the Director of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, told The Hindu that instructions were issued to Range Officers and other field staff to ascertain the presence of nomadic communities or those living in tents close to the forests, and question them.

A gang of tribal people from Odisha were found camping in the border village of Hangala last month. Forest Department officials seized monitor lizards and other animals that were trapped by them.

Cases

“We took them into custody and registered cases for violating the Wildlife Protection Act as they were found to be in possession of wildlife derivatives,” Mr. Kantharaj said.

Tiger claws and whiskers were seized from those nabbed from R.S. Doddi, which is close to the BRT Wildlife Sanctuary. Even if they are small-time gangs, they could be the first line of operators in the complex multilayer network of poachers and their clients in the illegal trade of wildlife derivatives, according to officials. More....

Myanmar to Establish “Save the Elephant Foundation Myanmar”

12/30/2013

Source: ElevenMyanmar.com

Myanmar will establish a Save the Elephant Foundation Myanmar in Bago Region and has plans to build a hospital to protect the elephants, according a foundation report.

“We are now submitting a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Bago Regional Chief Minister to establish the Save the Elephant Foundation Myanmar. The foundation aims to combat the illegal killing of elephants living in the jungle and to save the elephants’ lives as well as to launch technical training courses with the government and private organizations,” said Khin Maung Win, chairperson of Save the Elephant Foundation Myanmar.

The foundation was established in Myanmar for the first time thanks to assistance from the Save the Elephant Foundation based in Thailand.

Although the wild elephants in Bago region are owned by the government and most privately owned elephants are subject to protection laws, mainly the foundation aims to carry out preventive measures against illegal killing of the elephants across the country.

“We are going to build a hospital for the elephants after receiving permission from the relevant departments. Upon completion of the hospital, we will freely provide food and shelter, as well as health care services, to injured and older elephants,” the foundation’s chairperson added.

In Bago Region, ivory cutting and illegal killing of elephants owned by the government, as well as the hunting of wild and privately owned elephants, has left a trail of rotten carcasses. Hunters looking for elephants are now frequenting Bago mountain ranges and forest, according to veterinary surgeon Dr. Lay Win, and executive of the Save the Elephant Foundation.

Wildlife Killing in Dhubri Resented

12/30/2013

Source: Assamtribune.com

The people of Dhubri district have alleged that rare varieties of wildlife found here are on the verge of extinction due to wanton killing of such animals.

The district being a natural habitat of wild animals, there had been proposals to create a mini zoo and park for these animals. But due to the indifferent attitude of the authorities concerned, these proposals never materialized and eventually, the killing of animals increased. The absence of a wildlife wing in the forest department and negligence of concerned authorities have also been encouraging poaching in the district.

According to sources in the Dhubri Forest Division, the animals are mainly killed with the help of firearms, but other means such as poisoning, electrocution and the traditional bow and arrows are also being used. They said of late in most the forest areas of the district, birds like peacock, white-winged wood duck, pheasant, dove, drake gander, kingfisher, etc., and many other rare species of animals have come under tremendous pressure due to poaching.

Poaching disrupts breeding and even changes migration patterns. Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have appealed to the people of the district not to encourage the sale of meat of wild animals and at the same time, motivate others not to kill the innocent animals, because they too have an equal right to live in this world like human beings.

Shyamal Sanyal, chief convenor of the Dhubri Bikash Aru Pragati Mancha, a social organization of Dhubri town, demanded establishment of a wildlife wing under the forest department, and that Salkocha, Rokakhata, Alomganj forest areas be kept reserved for wild animals, and if possible, the proposal for the mini zoo and park should be materialized so that wanton killing of animals is stopped, and these innocent animals are protected properly. Otherwise, the days are not far when the district will become completely devoid of all these rare animals, he said.

Stern Remedies to Combat Wildlife Crime

12/30/2013

Source: Thebhutanese.BT

By Tanden Zangmo

The three-day annual forestry conference held in Samtse from December 19 to 21 resolved to combat wildlife crime and poaching more stringently.

Participants at the conference, constituting of about 180 foresters and conservationists from all parts of the country, felt that there is an urgent need to improve enforcement of forestry and wildlife regulations.

Participants also expressed appreciation towards the commendable tasks being carried out by the Forest Protection and Surveillance Unit (FPSU) of the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS). The unit, in collaboration with all forest territorial divisions and park management, monitors, apprehends and compounds all cases related to illegal timber and poaching cases in the country.

However, many felt that there is an immediate requirement to improve forestry and wildlife enforcement since it entails various issues.

The conference, as a congregation of all policy makers and enforcers, is considered to serve as the right platform to deliberate and dovetail anti-poaching plans into making it more effective and daunting for the offenders.

“Combating wildlife crime and poaching is a very sensitive issue and must be dealt with very cautiously,” said one of the participants. He added the conference is the right forum to brainstorm and come up with effective tactics that could help in bringing down the cases of wildlife crime.

The conference, after in depth discussions, adopted that the existing capacity of the surveillance unit be strengthened. This will be done through deployment of more qualified and experienced staff in the unit. Participants shared that the shortage of staff is one impediment in curbing and curtailing the crime.

The conference also recognized informant networking or whistleblowers as one critical component of fighting wildlife crime. The participants at the conference felt that more than the forestry officials, it is the secret spy and informant who gain more access to secret plots that are being hatched within the confinement of closed door. More....

When Answers Raise More Questions

12/30/2013

Source: Thestar.com.MY

By Isabelle Lai [Opinion\

When we are promised that enforcement action will be taken to tackle wildlife crime, we deserve to know what’s really going on instead of being fed a non-answer.

Without a doubt, one of the top 10 favourite words bandied around by the authorities is “enforcement”.

I can see why it is so favoured. Doesn’t it convey reassuring confidence that the full might of the law is going to come down hard on wrongdoers?

But enforcement is a much more meaningful word than that. It speaks of concrete action being taken to stop the spread of something which is bad or wrong.

When we are promised that enforcement action will be taken, I think we deserve to know what’s really going on instead of being fed a non-answer – which is to say, a nice, polite, reassuring answer that really doesn’t answer any of our questions.

Fresh in the public’s mind is illegal wildlife trade kingpin Anson Wong, whether he is really back in business and what the authorities are doing about it.

Burning questions have arisen in the wake of Al-Jazeera’s 101 East’s The Return of the Lizard King documentary, which provides substantial evidence that he might just have returned to his old habits.

Wong’s house was shown to have an enclosure housing African Serval cats, while the worker at Rona Wildlife, a shop lot housing exotic wildlife, named him as his boss.

What was the Department of Wildlife and National Parks’ (Perhilitan) reply? More....

12 Held, Tiger Claws Seized

12/30/2013

Source: Thehindu.com

The Kollegal police and the mobile Forest squad have arrested 12 persons in the Hanur forest division and seized tiger claws and other wildlife derivatives from them.

Though officials were tight-lipped about the operation, other sources in the Forest Department confirmed on Sunday that the authorities had definite information about the gang and zeroed in on its members near the Hanur forest. Apart from 18 tiger claws, the authorities also seized what is suspected to be tiger whiskers, and cash.

According to sources, during interrogation the gang members, including four women, said they were from Madhya Pradesh and claimed they were involved in the sale of plastic materials and were living in tents. They denied any involvement in poaching, but admitted that they had burgled a few temples, sources said.

10 Poachers from Madhya Pradesh Nabbed

12/30/2013

Source: Deccanchronicle.com

A well-coordinated operation, involving central and state units of police force, and forest department officials, has led to the arrest of 10 persons from Madhya Pradesh with wildlife contraband.

The accused have been identified as Bavarnath, Rajunath, Bavarnath, Lalunath, Amrunth, Rameshnath, Jaysheelnath, Prakash, Sharmanath, and Mangunath.

All of them were tribals and hailed from Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh.

The group had landed in Kollegal two days ago to poach tigers and when the arrests were made, they were carrying 15 tiger claws, 2 tiger canines and Rs 2 lakh in cash, allegedly the advance amount paid by the prospective buyers of tiger skin.

For the past one week, the wildlife investigating agencies working under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) were tracking a group of tribesmen from Madhya Pradesh, who were planning to carry out tiger poaching in the forests on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border.

On Friday, the forest officials in Bangalore were tipped off about the movement of the gang, who were to reach Mandya railway station on the same evening and proceed to Kollegal. The intelligence input also specified that the group was posing as merchants dealing with plastic.

The forest department had formed a team of police and forest officials under BRT Tiger Reserve Director S Lingaraju and raided the gang at R S Doddi in Hanur.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Vinay Luthra said that the central authorities had tipped them off about a possible poaching attempt. “The contraband recovered from the gang seems old and we were able to catch them before they could carry out any poaching here,” he said.

The investigating officials revealed that in the past one month the gang had carried out transaction of up to Rs 65-75 lakh in the ICICI Bank.

“We are examining their bank transactions to ascertain who their clients were. It seems the gang had entered the state forest for the first time. However we are trying to investigate their past poaching activities,” said an official.

Cattle Rustling: Health Risk of Meat from Stolen Animals

12/30/2013

Source: Nst.com.MY

By S. Param [Letter to the Editor\

Cattle rustlers are getting bolder and sophisticated. There has been a marked increase in cattle thefts. Rearers, especially small-time poor farmers, are crying for help from the police and Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to do something to safeguard their livelihood and prevent their livestock from being stolen.

The latest brazen cattle theft was highlighted on the front page of a local Tamil daily on Dec 23, involving several heads of dairy cattle worth hundreds of thousands of ringgit.

Several people wearing masks stormed the cattle farm and carted away the animals in a lorry. About two weeks ago, another farmer reported that his cattle were herded away by parang-wielding men at an estate after overpowering farm workers.

Looking at the modus operandi of these cattle rustlers, it appears that they are receiving inside help and are well-connected.

A well-organised syndicate must be behind the spate of cattle and other livestock thefts. The rustlers know what they are doing and they are slick in disposing the animals.

There seems to be a great demand for stolen cattle in the black market. The animals may have been sold to other farmers or killed in an illegal slaughter house.

I suspect, in view of the high price of local beef, that many of these stolen animals end up as meat in the market.

Live animals can easily be identified and I doubt that these animals are sold to other livestock farmers.

To avoid being traced, the syndicates must have a team to slaughter the animals and distribute the meat to "marketing agents" to be sold at markets or to restaurants. More....

Environment Min Holds Activities to Promote Wildlife Conservation

12/30/2013

Source: Pattayamail.com

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is organizing activities at Future Park in suburban Rangsit area to promote wildlife conservation.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Vichet Kasemthongsri launched a campaign under the concept of “Stop consuming, Stop hunting, and Stop smuggling”. The aim of the event is to preserve wildlife such as elephants, tigers, snakes, tortoises, and armadillos, whose lives have been threatened by the presence of human beings.

Activities included in this event are a campaign to protect wildlife, an exhibition depicting Their Majesties the King’s and Queen’s roles in protecting the wildlife, and animal shows, as well as entertainment programs.

Meanwhile, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) revealed that 642 cases of wildlife smuggling had been reported so far this year as Thailand was on the international community's watch list for wildlife trade.

The event is taking place at Future Park Rangsit until this Sunday.

Jungle Cat In The Bag

12/30/2013

Source: ConservationIndia.org

By Suresh Kumar Rathod

On the morning of 28th November, when Balaji Rayadurgam, Karthik Ramamurthy and I went birding on the outskirts of Chennai, we heard gunshots. Closer inspection revealed that the shots were being fired by 2 poachers, who were coming out a field with a gun in hand and a bag. We caught them red-handed and snatched the weapons and the bag, anticipating birds inside. But we were taken by surprise as there was something else — a jungle cat — which was injured, and a dead francolin. It was sad for me to see the cat in such an situation. The poachers were professionally equipped with batteries fitted to a vibration device of some sort, torches, a gun and a motor bike. The Forest Department responded quickly when we called them, and took the poachers to their office, promising action. They also said that they would take the injured wild cat to the veterinary hospital for treatment. Hope the wild cat survived and was released back in the wild.

Sri Lanka Navy Finds GPS Equipment in Arrested Indian Fishermen's Boats

12/29/2013

Source: Colombopage.com

Sri Lankan Navy personnel have arrested another 22 Tamil Nadu fishermen today for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters and seized their six boats, according to fisheries officials from Tamil Nadu state of India.

Sri Lankan Naval patrol craft attached to the Northern Naval Command have arrested the fishermen from Jagadapattinam in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu for illegally fishing in the Northern seas off Delft Island.

The Navy said four of the boats were fitted with the GPS equipment which confirmed that the fishermen have purposely entered in to Sri Lanka's territorial waters for poaching.

The fishermen have been taken to Kankasanthurai Harbor and handed them over to the Fisheries Authorities in Jaffna.

The Indian fishery officials have said that the Sri Lankan naval men have chased away another group of fishermen fishing near the Katchatheevu islet. The fishermen have alleged the naval men of snapping their fishing nets before they were chased away.

According to Indian officials, Sri Lanka has 227 Indian fishermen and 70 boats in custody. Meanwhile, a delegation of fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry yesterday have met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urged him to take measures to get the jailed fishermen released.

More Poaching Indians ‘Netted’ in North

12/29/2013

Source: Island.lk

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The navy on Saturday (28) arrested 22 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lanka’s northern waters.

Navy headquarters spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya told The Island that the arrests were made off the Delft island. The navy also took six trawlers into custody.

The official alleged that as most of the trawlers had been equipped with directional finding equipment, they couldn’t have strayed. They had entered Sri Lankan waters purposely and were engaged in illegal fishing, the official said.

The fishermen and trawlers were taken to the KKS harbour and handed over to fisheries authorities.

"We are trying to discourage them from crossing the Indo-Lanka maritime boundary, especially in the wake of an upsurge in poaching," a senior security official told The Island.

During the second week of December the navy took 23 trawlers into its custody along with 141 fishermen in northern and eastern waters. Out of the total, the SLN netted 15 trawlers and 111 fishermen north-east of Trincomalee. They were detected close to the land between Mullaitivu and Kokilai.

"We took the rest five nautical miles east of Analativu Island in the night. They were brought to Kankesanturai harbour and handed over to the fisheries authorities," the official said.

Authoritative sources told The Island that legal action would be taken against those arrested while poaching in Lankan waters. Sources said that as the Indian fishing fleet had deprived the northern fishermen of their livelihood a sustained naval operation was needed to curb poaching.

Sources emphasized that India had the wherewithal to easily prevent them from crossing the maritime boundary. They alleged that Indian security authorities as well as fisheries officials were turning a blind eye to what was happening as the trawlers belonged to influential persons. The operation would continue regardless of ongoing protests in Tamil Nadu.

Elephant Killers Roam Free!

12/29/2013

Source: Thesundayleader.lk

By Nirmala Kannangara

Unplanned developments within forest areas and unsuccessful elephant drives have become one of the main causes for human elephant conflicts in the country.

As a result of ‘acquiring’ forest lands which are elephant habitat areas, elephants have been deprived of food and water. Hence elephants have no other option but to invade the surrounding villages which has led to human-elephant conflict.

After four wild elephants including a baby elephant were electrocuted at Handilla in the Hambantota district a few weeks ago, it has come to the limelight as to how illegal encroachers use the main power connection to kill elephants.

Environmentalists are up in arms against the Department of Forest Conservation (DFC) and Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) for their alleged failure to discharge the duties to take action against those who violate DFC and DWC regulations.

“In the case of the four elephant deaths few weeks ago, why couldn’t the DFC take action against the person who built the house blocking the elephant corridor in Handilla. When the DWC is driving away the elephants from their natural habitats to certain parks, DFC is allowing people to build houses in forest lands blocking elephant corridors so where can the elephants go? When this happens, where else can the jumbos go other than entering border villages looking for food? In this particular incident in Handilla, these elephants were roaming in their ‘homelands’ but was killed by an illegal encroacher. How cruel this is. These elephants – two mothers and a young tusker around 5-6 years and a baby elephant about two years were killed brutally by this illegal encroacher. What action would these two institutions take against the accused for trespassing elephant homelands?” alleged Director Environment Conservation Trust, Sajeewa Chamikara.

According to Handilla villagers, another male elephant has been electrocuted closer to the airport a few days ago. The angry villagers, on condition of anonymity, too accused the Department of DFC for allowing people to destroy forest lands but added that fines are imposed against the villagers if they clear a small piece of land for a chena cultivation.

“A fine of Rs.15,000 is imposed if we clear a small area in the forest to make a chena for our living. However they are silent when outsiders clear the forest to make holiday homes,” the sources claimed.

According to the sources, although the Forest Department razed the house to the ground and set it on fire claiming it is an unauthorized building at the beginning, their stance was changed later.
The sources further accused Ceylon Electricity Board for giving power connection no sooner the house was built although the villagers were not given the power supply. More....

Foot-And-Mouth Disease Hits Elephant Rental Business

12/29/2013

Source: Thehindubusinessline.com

By K.P.M. Basheer

The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that has afflicted domestic cattle in southern States is looking to threaten an unexpected sector — Kerala’s flourishing elephant rental business.

The rental business’ high season has just opened and elephant owners are flush with bookings. In the case of certain top-end elephants with high brand value, the booking is for four or five months in advance. But the FMD outbreak in the State over a month ago left thousands of cattle infected. Though the airborne viral infection affects domestic cattle mostly, sheep, pigs, wild and captive animals are also susceptible.

Not fatal

Already, three captive elephants in Thrissur district have been diagnosed with the epidemic. “Captive elephants, too, are susceptible to the disease though they are not hoofed,” says Nameer P.O., Associate Professor of Wildlife at the Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. “The disease is usually not fatal, but the secondary infection sometimes leads to death.” FMD in elephants has been reported from Thailand and Myanmar before, he noted. The viral infection — which spreads through contact with infected animals, farm tools, clothes and humans tending to the affected animals — causes painful blisters in the hoofs and mouths of animals.

Since elephants are mostly rented out for ‘ezhunnellippu’ (for parading with statues of deities mounted on the elephant back) at temple festivals, they need to work for several hours.

“During the ezhunnellippu, the elephant is made to stand at the same spot for two or three hours together even as the ‘chenda melam’ (drum beats) goes on,” Vinod Kumar, a mahout said. “If struck with the FMD, the animal will not be able to tolerate this and can go crazy.”

Punnathurkotta, the elephant house owned by Guruvayur temple, closed the centre to visitors as soon as one of its 60 elephants showed symptoms of FMD. It also closed advance booking of elephants for festival work for a few weeks, but reopened a couple of days ago for ‘very important’ festivals.

A Guruvayur Devaswom official pointed out that during the busy season, seven or eight elephants are rented out for the ezhunnellippu. “We take extreme care while taking our elephants out, and if one catches the disease, others too might be affected.”

Captive elephants

There are around 500 captive elephants in Kerala, most of which are rented out for ‘festival work’ and occasionally for logging. More....

Are We Losing the Rhino War?

12/29/2013

Source: Sundaymail.co.zw

By Tendai Chara

Driving towards Kezi from Bulawayo can be a rare spectacle filled with pleasure. After only a few kilometres from the country’s second biggest city, large herds of grazing livestock are usually seen munching grass as they seem unfazed by the noise emanating from the many vehicles from the busy highway.

Further down the road, the landscape becomes particularly spectacular with valleys that are surrounded by both huge and small granite outcrops. Balancing rocks hang precariously as if they might fall off any time.

It is in this vast conservation area that the Matopos National Park, a World Heritage site which is rich in both history and culture, is located.

Intertwined with this beautiful scenery is the abundant wildlife. From the squirrel to the giraffe to the endangered black rhino, the park is pregnant with a variety of reptiles, birds and several animal species.

The park is home to the zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, eland, reedbuck, impala and sable among other animals. Apart from the popular game drives, the historical tours and the rock paintings, visitors can also visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes.

Shangani Memorial, which chronicles the often bloody historical conflicts between the white colonial settlers and the Ndebele people, is situated some few kilometres from the highway.

To the visitors, the area surrounding the Matopos National Park is a haven of tranquillity and beauty. However, it is in these serene environs and many other animal conservancies across the country that vicious “wars” to save the rhino from extinction are being fought.

Officers from the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management, villagers living in areas surrounding the park and tourism and conservation organisations are engaged in a bitter struggle to stop poaching activities and save the endangered rhino from extinction.

There are growing concerns that if the rhinos are not protected, they will, like the pre-historic dinosaurs, soon become extinct. During the past five years, there has been an alarming increase in rhino poaching which is threatening the existence of the animal species. More....

Sri Lanka Arrests 22 Indian Fishermen

12/29/2013

Source: Newindianexpress.com

The Sri Lanka Navy Sunday arrested 22 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters, officials said.

A navy spokesman said the Indians were arrested in the northern seas and will be handed over to police, reported Xinhua.

The navy said the arrests were made after the Indian fishermen refused to return to Indian waters when they were spotted by navy boats.

Earlier this month, over 100 Indian fishermen were arrested when they entered Sri Lankan waters illegally and were remanded by a court.

According to the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement, 213 Sri Lankan fishermen and 43 fishing vessels are being held by the Indian authorities.

Fishermen from India and Sri Lanka crossing the international maritime boundary line dividing the two countries has become a sensitive political issue.

Sri Lankan fishermen say they face huge financial losses when Indian fishermen use trawlers and catch fish in Sri Lankan waters, leaving very little behind.

The Indian fishermen say they fish in the open seas and also claim rights to the sea surrounding a disputed island in Sri Lanka's north which was handed over to Colombo by New Delhi in 1974.

Efforts are underway to hold talks between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen next month in order to settle the dispute between fishermen from both the countries.

Tigress Found Dead Near Nagarhole Forest

12/29/2013

Source: TimesofIndia.Indiatimes.com

By H.M. Aravind

In a suspected case of poaching, the carcass of a six-year-old tigress was found in a channel of Taraka dam near the Nagarahole tiger reserve in Karnataka's Kodagu district on Saturday.

The big cat is believed to have died 36 hours before it was spotted by local residents in the canal. Blood poisoning following a bullet wound is seen as the reason behind the death. Without ruling out poaching, officials said they will await the postmortem result before arriving at a conclusion.

It is unlikely that the tigress died due to septicemia, sources said.

"The wound is only superficial, but the pellet could have led to blood poisoning," said D S Gaonkar, DCF (Mysore Circle).

He said that the viscera samples of the tigress will be sent to the regional centre of Forensic Science Laboratory in the city for a detailed analysis.

"We're surprised to find the pellet since there were no external injuries. During postmortem, it was found out that the pellet did not enter the body. This led us to conclude that it is not killed by gun shot," Gaonkar said.

Sources said given the nature of the wound, it looks like that the tigress was shot at from a distance. Additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Ajai Misra rushed to the spot and was present when the postmortem was conducted. Officials said the tigress is believed to be living in Taraka backwaters.

Karnataka Police Nab Tiger Poachers

12/29/2013

Source: TimesofIndia.Indiatimes.com

By M.B. Maramkal

In an intensified search and manhunt launched by the police in the backdrop of reports of poachers from Madhya Pradesh sneaking into forests of Tiger sanctuaries in the state , Kollegal police on Sunday arrested a gang of nine tribals who were moving suspiciously in the Gundal project forest area and recovered various tiger parts from them. Police also seized a cash of Rs 2 lakh from these tribals hailing from Madhya Pradesh .

According to police , two tribals were seen moving suspiciously in the Gundal project forest area which forms part of the BR Tiger sanctuary and nabbed them. When enquired , two tribal youths vague replies confounded the doubts of the police on the tribals nefarious activities forcing them to take the youths to their makeshift tent pitched near Hanur village in Kollegal taluk. Police said the forest officials and police team members were left perplexed when they found 15 tiger nails, two molar teeth and Rs 2 lakh cash inside the tent . Police also recovered 2 motorbikes bearing MP registration numbers and 2 mobile phones from the 9 tribals arrested by the police.

Disclosing the arrest of this poachers gang by Chamarajnagar SP P Rajendra Prasad said these tribals have pitched their tents near Hanur town and camping there for many days in the guise of selling plastic utensils and other consumer goods . " All are from Mandsour district of Madhya Pradesh bordering Rajasthan" he pointed out and said police are interrogating the gang members on their antecedents and their involvement in tiger poaching. "We have to interrogate and investigate extensively to find out whether they have poached any tiger or other wild animal in Karnataka forest" he said , claiming that forest officials and police jointly conducted this raid and investigation . Forest officials have booked a case in this regard, he added.

‘Don’t Go Bananas Feeding Hornbillls’

12/29/2013

Source: Theborneopost.com

By Cecilia Sman

Feeding wildlife including hornbills with food that human consume to make them healthier and have a longer life span is a misconception.

Saying this, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) honorary ranger Musa Musbah explained that feeding wildlife with what human beings eat such as bananas, meat and bread could cause them to get sick.

“Even fruits like bananas, they are sweet and repeatedly given to hornbills might cause them to have diabetes and shorten their lives,” Musa noted.

He was presenting a talk on hornbills held in conjunction with an exhibition entitled ‘Enchanting Piasau Camp – A Nature Park in The City for Mirians’ at Boulevard Shopping Complex here yesterday.

Musa, also the deputy chairman of the newly registered Piasau Camp Miri Nature Park Society (PCMNPS), had been tasked by the authorities to conduct observations on the Oriental Pied Hornbills at Piasau Camp.

Hornbills are a totally protected species under the state’s Wild Life Protection Ordinance (1998).

He said equally life threatening is putting the hornbills in cages as it could cause unnecessary stress among the animals.

He said through his observation, hornbills at Piasau Camp eat natural food like garden snails, beetles, frogs, lizards, baby or yellow vented bulbuls, figs, berries and oil palm kernels.

Musa said another misconception about hornbill is that hornbills could die if not released from their nest inside the tree trunk. More....

Poaching Threat Haunts Lake Chilika

12/28/2013

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

By Rakesh Dixit

Lakhs of migratory birds have turned Chilika, Asia's largest brackish water lake straddling three Orissa districts, into a plumed wonder.

But even as three lakh birds from across the globe have arrived in the lagoon, spread over Khurda, Puri and Ganjam districts, the fear of poaching continues to haunt the winged beauties.

According to officials the 1,000 sq km lake, about 100kms from the state Capital, is hard to monitor by wildlife officials because of its huge spread.

Chilika divisional forest officer (DFO), B P Acharya said this year patrolling has been intensified at the lake.

"We have already set up 17 camps in villages near the lake to protect the birds from being hunted," he said adding that the camps were being manned by over 50 forest personnel.

Around 150,000 birds were sighted at Nalaban Island, the core area of the lake where the bird sanctuary is located.

Around the same number have also been seen in other parks of the water body which is a protected wetland site.

Most of the winged guests have arrived from areas as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea, Russia, Mongolia, central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas.

At least 156 species of birds have been spotted in the lake so far. Of these 52 are local bird species. Photos.