Wildlife populations monitored across the globe have declined by a massive 69 per cent between 1970 and 2018, according to this WWF's Living Planet Report (LPR) 2022. Monitored wildlife populations - mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish - have seen a devastating 69% drop on average since 1970, according to …
The study tracked the waxing and waning of the range and diversity of families of mammals that inhabited the continental United States during this extended period. Diversity is the mammal's best defense when it comes to adapting climatic changes. That is one of the conclusions of the first study of …
A new species of gecko with black and gold bands like a bumblebee and slender toes termed a "striking surprise" has been discovered deep in the tropical forests of Papua New Guinea, the U.S. Geological survey said. The lizard, which measures about 13 cm (5 inches) from head to tail …
Matara District government officials have discussed plans to establish a park for the crocodiles as a measure to prevent the deaths due to the croc attacks in the surrounding areas of Nilwala River. At a discussion held at the Matara District Secretariat on Monday with the participation of Minister Dullas …
We examined the spatial distribution pattern of reptiles in an eastern Himalayan elevation gradient. The factors governing the distribution have been assessed with emphasis on the mid-domain effect. We surveyed reptiles along the elevation gradient (300–4800 m) of the Teesta valley in Sikkim, Eastern Himalaya, India using time constrained visual …
Aspects of life history and morphometry of Günther’s oriental slender snake Trachischium guentheri (Boulenger, 1890) was studied along the Lachen and Lachung valleys of North Sikkim, Eastern Himalaya, India during 2003 – 2005. A total of 360 snakes were observed in 1026 man-hours of time constrained visual encounter surveys. Females …
Bangladesh and other South Asian countries will jointly implement a project for endangered wildlife conservation by preventing illegal trade of wild animals and ensuring better management. The five-year “Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection in Asia Project” was launched at Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka yesterday. Bangladesh is the first to …
Despite rapid urbanization, the herpetofauna population of Guwahati has not been severely affected. There are some 63 species of herpetiles in this Assam city. "This is good news and can be termed as one of the best average populations," said herpetofauna researcher Jayaditya Purkayastha after release of his book "Urban …
Using data for 25,780 species categorized on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, we present an assessment of the status of the world’s vertebrates. One-fifth of species are classified as Threatened, and we show that this figure is increasing: on average, 52 species of mammals, birds …
Climate change downsizing fauna, flora: study Climate change is reducing the body size of many animal and plant species, including some which supply vital nutrition for more than a billion people already living near hunger’s threshold, according to a study released Sunday. From micro-organisms to top predators, nearly 45 percent …
The Kodigahakanda forest in the Olabouwa North Grama Niladhari division in Horana will be declared a sanctuary in November under the Forest Conservation Department, MEDEF President K.Munagama told the Daily News. "This is the first wildlife sanctuary in the Kalutara district," he said. Kodigahakanda bio-diversity centre at Gonapola was opened …
UNESCO Centre in Paris has asked for an immediate detailed report on the road construction through Sri Lanka's Sinharaja rain forest which is considered a World Heritage, local media reported. The request has now been forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs, the report says. The Ministry has forwarded it …
India’s largest crocodile bank situated here is gearing up to welcome four more crocodile species to its collection. The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology (MCBT), located on the East Coast Road, will receive the new reptiles “by end of September or beginning October,” its Director, Colin James …
Climate change appears to be forcing many of the world's creatures to migrate to more favourable locales up to three times faster than previously believed, a study said on August 18. Researchers compiled past studies on species migration and combined them into a meta-analysis that showed a clear trend toward …
In recent years, the Indonesian capital of Jakarta has become a focal point for the pet trade in tortoises and freshwater turtles. Alarmingly, observed trends indicate much of this trade is illegal and includes a growing number of threatened species. Regular monitoring of wildlife markets is essential to keep abreast …
As Hindus gear up to celebrate naag panchami on Thursday, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) today urged them to discourage atrocities against the reptile and report snake charmers to authorities. "Naag panchami, held in the honour of serpent god Naag Devta, instead of paying tribute to …
Varad Giri is the deputy director (collections) of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), an organisation working for conservation of nature for the last 127 years. Giri is also a scientific associate of the Natural History Museum, London. He has been extensively working on the reptiles and amphibians of the …
SOME are petrified while others squeal at the mere sight of these scaly reptiles. Lizards that scurry past walls to hide and sometimes free-fall into the kitchen sink with a splat face a serious threat across the world. Scientists say climate change is one of the biggest reasons. There are …
If you are a farmer in India, chances of succumbing to a snake bite are greater than anywhere else in the world. While the country is one of the top destinations for medical tourism, in the case of snake bite casualties, we appear to be mired in the Dark Ages. …
Beekeeping and breeding animals such as cane rats for food are needed to help tackle the unsustainable trade in bush meat in central Africa, conservation experts said on Friday. Local populations rely on birds, reptiles and mammals including apes in the vast Congo Basin for food, but overhunting for so-called …
The pristine forest of Neora Valley National Park (NVNP) in Kalimpong hills, Darjeeling district, which has formed an ecological trijunction with Sikkim and Bhutan, is the last virgin wilderness in West Bengal. It is one of the oldest (1881) reserve forests in India. Since this area has been put under …
