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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
A film documents India's first biosphere reserve
High up in the Western Ghats, where the clouds seemingly drift low, covering the hilltops rippling in shades of deep green or burnt gold (as the season changes), lies the Nilgiris – India's first biosphere reserve. Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness, a 75-minute long documentary by Sandesh Kadur, filmed over a span of three years, not just documents the Nilgiris biosphere but also listens to it closely, patiently. Kadur, who has previously worked with National Geographic, BBC and Animal Planet on wildlife documentaries, recalls how the idea for Nilgiris first sparked in YEAR. He states, 'It was a walk with (author) Rohini Nilekani in the Nilgiris that sparked the idea of the documentary. We realised that there has been no major documentary about this landscape.' What followed was two years of fieldwork, research and a year of post-production work to stitch together visuals and create a narrative story that now exists as a cinematic bridge between ecological wonder and cultural urgency. The documentary is well-shot and the time that is spent on filming it is visible on the screen. The time lapse of clouds covering the mountain tops, the dew drops on the flowers, the sun rays peeping through a canopy – visually the movie leaves one wanting more of Nilgiris. The cinematography by Kadur, Robin Darius Conz, Nakul Raj, Sameer Jain and Nikhil Virdi transports viewers to the mountains. Rather than following a linear narrative, the film relies on what Kandur describes as 'hero characters', which include endemic species like the Nilgiri Salea (a lizard), the fig wasps and Parantica nilgiriensis, the Nilgiri tiger (butterfly). Their stories connect with each other – frogs lay eggs that attract dragonflies, which in turn feed the hornbills, which nest in the fig tree. A delicate food web unfolds through sharp transitions, thoughtful editing and music. Each animal is treated with the narrative weight of a protagonist, allowing their lives and interactions to build an arc. One of the film's most striking achievements is its use of music — not just as background but as storytelling. 'We took our music team with us to the Nilgiris,' says the director said, referencing musicians Sam Mills and Susheela Raman. 'We wanted the music to reflect the rhythm of the landscape,' he adds. From tabla beats that match the bounce of the Nilgiri Marten to comical interludes that mirror a hornbill's awkward hunt, the score becomes an extension of the forest's own voice. Having previously worked on wildlife documentaries, the team was well-aware of the techniques that they needed to work without disturbing the wildlife. 'We used camouflage hides, long lenses to keep our distance,' says Kadur. This respect is visible on screen. Sequences like the wild dog hunt – filmed in the dry lowlands of Masinagudi — are intense but unobtrusive. 'They're more endangered than tigers and capturing their pups emerging felt like documenting the next generation,' he adds. The film's core question is not about wilderness lost – but wilderness redefined. 'Everything is now human-dominated,' the director reflects. 'So how do we share the land?' He notes that the film isn't about nostalgia, it's about negotiation. It is a reminder to the audience to help conserve the biosphere.
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Can a cat kill a king cobra? Surprising facts about this deadly face-off
Just imagine your fluffy house cat versus the sleek, deadly king cobra. Sounds like the kind of matchup you'd see in a low-budget Animal Planet special, right? But it's not as far-fetched as you might think. Both cats and cobras are fast, fierce, and insanely skilled in their own right. So, can your average whiskered ninja take down one of the most venomous snakes on the planet? Let's not sugarcoat it—the king cobra is terrifying. It's the longest venomous snake in the world, growing up to 18 feet. It can literally stand up and look you in the eye, and when it's ticked off, it flares its hood and hisses like something out of a horror movie. But the real killer here is the venom of the snake. A king cobra's bite delivers enough neurotoxin to kill an elephant or about 20 humans. Yeah, not exactly your average garden snake. Once the venom hits the bloodstream, it shuts down the nervous system, causing paralysis and, if untreated, death. It's basically a reptilian supervillain. Cat's secret weapons Now let's talk about cats. Even your average domestic cat—yes, the one currently knocking things off your kitchen counter—comes with an impressive set of tools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo Speed and reflexes? Off the charts. Cats can react in a split second, often faster than snakes. Sharp claws and teeth? Check. Excellent vision and hearing? Absolutely. A fearless, chaotic attitude? Definitely. Cats are born hunters. Their instincts are razor sharp, and they've been known to take down snakes, rats, birds, and pretty much anything that dares to slither or scurry in their path. So… who wins? Let's be real—it depends on the cat and the situation. If we're talking about a typical house cat and a full-grown king cobra in a head-to-head backyard brawl? The odds are not in the cat's favor. Why? Because the king cobra's venom is just too deadly. While cats are fast and nimble, they'd have to perfectly time their attack and avoid the snake's strike zone completely. That's a big ask. But, it's not totally one-sided. There are real-life cases, where feral cats or village cats have killed cobras. In some cases, these aren't full-grown king cobras, but they're still venomous snakes. The key is surprise. If a cat can strike fast, pin the snake down, and go for the head before the cobra can strike back, it's game over—for the snake. Let's not forget the setting. A house cat in the wild? Vulnerable. A cobra trapped in a yard with nowhere to hide? Also not great. If this showdown happened in a jungle, the cobra has home advantage. In a backyard with fewer escape routes? The cat might surprise you. Also worth noting—mother cats with kittens? They turn into absolute savages. There are videos of mother cats going full berserker mode on snakes, even risking their lives to protect their babies. If any cat has a fighting chance, it's that one. So, can a cat beat a king cobra? Technically, yes but only in rare, high-skill, lightning-fast situations. It would need to ambush the cobra, land a precise kill strike to the head, and avoid getting bitten even once. More likely? The cobra wins with one quick bite. Unless the cat is particularly savvy (or lucky), the venom gives the snake a deadly edge. So while your kitty is a ninja with fur, let's maybe not toss it into the cobra pit anytime soon, cool?
CBS News
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Coloradans remember, honor local celebrity, Larry the Camel, struck and killed by lightning
If you've spent time in the Colorado city of Steamboat or Kremling, there's a good chance you've crossed paths with a local celebrity, "Larry," a dromedary camel. For two decades, Larry the Camel was more than just an animal at the Troublesome Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation, Inc. His owner, Bethany Aurin, said he was a local celebrity, a gentle giant with an "almost cult-like following." Now, there's a hole in Aurin's heart. Her beloved Larry was killed after being struck by lightning in the early morning hours of the 4th of July this year. She said many people have reached out to her while she grieves the loss of her beloved animal, which has been one of the bright spots in an otherwise very dark period. "It's been really profound for me to see how many lives he affected," Aurin said. Larry had made appearances at weddings and birthday parties, marching in parades and took photos with Coloradans for Christmas. He even had a role in an Animal Planet special. "You ever have certain animals that you just really connect with?" Aurin asked. "He was just a kind soul. He was big and he was kind of goofy. You know, he had silly expressions. But he was very, very gentle." That gentle nature was something she shared with her entire community, creating countless smiles and memories. The profound connection she felt is now a source of deep pain. The lightning strike that took Larry's life has left a different kind of scar on Aurin. "Now, I get lightning alerts and... I won't go out," she admits. "This has cut me to the core." Adding to the heartbreak is the time she thought she had left. Larry was only 20 years old, in the prime of his life. Aurin says camels can live to be around 35, so the loss of those potential years is a difficult pill to swallow. She said she tries to remind herself that it was a blessing to have cared for Larry all these years at all. "I just have to focus on that," Aurin said, "And not feel cheated out of 15 years." As she navigates her grief, Aurin said she finds comfort in the lasting impact Larry had on so many. "People, feel free to share all their pictures and stuff of Larry," she said. "It's been devastating for me, but it's also been devastating for all of our friends and all of Larry's friends. So, hopefully just we'll all try hard to reflect on what a good guy he was and look at his funny pictures and be grateful for the time that we did have."
Los Angeles Times
19-07-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Can coyotes and bears be friends? An Altadena odd couple has neighbors talking
Altadenans are no strangers to animal sightings — there are peacocks and parrots aplenty around town — but news of a coyote and black bear palling around town together recently has locals talking. First introduced to the public via a clip posted to social media by the Altadena Sheriff's Station, the duo have been spotted together multiple times, munching on garbage and patrolling the foothill streets left mostly desolate by the Eaton fire in January. While seeing a bear or coyote isn't abnormal in Altadena, observing them together is surprising, says L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Garza, whose partner took the video of the unlikely pair when they responded to a call about the bear in late June. 'They were kind of just walking and hanging out together, which was really interesting,' he says. 'I think that because of the fires, both animals have lost their natural habitat so they're down here looking for water and food, but seeing them together painted this picture of them being just two friends, trying to get along and checking out the neighborhood.' Altadena resident Raimy Rosenduft says she captured the pair a week or so later on her front door camera (experts believe it's the same couple). In her clip, the bear and the coyote are seemingly enjoying the spoils of a spilled garbage can, surveying the neighborhood while they weigh their next move. While wildlife experts say it's understandable that viewers may see the clips and think 'check out this pair of cute, furry best friends,' they're quick to note that what's going on between the two species seems to indicate more toleration than affection. 'You can humanize your dog or your cat, but I think even that's a stretch,' says Steve Searles, a wildlife expert and author who Animal Planet once dubbed 'The Bear Whisperer.' 'Thinking that these animals love you or each other the way that you love them just isn't based on reality or fact. I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but it's that kind of thinking that gets someone — either a person or more likely an animal — killed.' There's a less sentimental explanation for the team-up, Searles says. Back when he was working as a wildlife officer in Mammoth Lakes in the 1990s, Searles says he often saw coyotes sleeping outside bear dens. (Coyotes have also been spotted alongside bears in Burbank, although in seemingly less friendly circumstances, among other places.) 'It was like they were just waiting for the bear to wake up and go to work, because it was more economical for them to travel with the bear during its nightly route,' Searles explains. While bears are typically seen as apex predators, he says, black bears — the only wild bears left in California — are actually vegetarian-leaning omnivores, eating far more grass, tubers, roots and berries than meat. Coyotes, on the other hand, are opportunistic eaters, chowing down on whatever crosses their paths. Following a bear, who'll knock over a garbage can to lick out a discarded jar of peanut butter but may ignore chicken bones, could be a win for the smaller animal. Unless a black bear has cubs with it or is looking to mate, Searles says, they won't really pay the coyote much mind. 'Everybody's used to seeing grizzlies on TV catching salmon out of the air at the top of some waterfall, but black bears are one of the laziest animals on the planet,' he explains. 'They just want to walk around on your lawn, eating grass or daisies or other non-indigenous species of plants. It's just plain easier. They don't want to run for anything if they can help it.' Bear ecologist Chris Morgan says that, while he wouldn't use the word 'lazy' to describe black bears, he would absolutely call them efficient. 'Like all bears, they're out for the biggest number of calories for the least amount of effort.' Even if the pairing is less 'buddy animal movie' and more biological imperative, that doesn't mean seasoned wildlife observers haven't found something interesting in the footage. Eric Strauss, the executive director of the Loyola Marymount Center for Urban Resilience, says his group has studied coyotes in urban environments extensively. Still, he says, he's never seen a coyote with a bear. 'I'm an old scientist, but still this kind of stuff never stops being delightful,' Strauss says. 'We might think we have everything figured out, but the beauty of science is that you have to prepare to be surprised.' Observing the pair may help scientists understand more about how animals respond to trauma, like the Eaton fire that destroyed both homes and wildlife habitat. 'In the same way that fire is traumatic to humans, fire is traumatic to social animals,' Strauss says. 'A lot of these social animals, like coyotes, probably lost their partners or lost their offspring and are, to some degree, still in shock. Most social animals are able to experience all the emotions that humans do. They don't necessarily show it the same way, but I think knowing that creates a bond between us. These animals might still be wild, but, really, we're not as different as we would like to think we are.' In Altadena, where bear murals already dotted local stores before the fire, that sort of connection can feel extra special. Greg Mann, who's lived in Altadena for about 30 years and who's posted his bear sightings on the local Reddit page, says when he returned to his home in the Canyon Crest neighborhood earlier this spring, the area felt deserted, not just by people but by animals as well. 'Everything was so silent. There weren't a lot of people back and it was pitch black at nighttime,' he says. 'We weren't seeing any signs of wildlife and [my wife and I] were really concerned because the fire had traveled so quickly so we just weren't sure how all the animals had fared. But then we started getting deer in our yard again and other animals, and every single time a new animal comes through, it just feels so hopeful. Little by little, it feels like things are starting to get back to the way they should be.'
Chicago Tribune
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Afternoon Briefing: Survey shows support for parks unifies people from all walks
Good afternoon, Chicago. Over the last few months, the future of national public lands has been precarious because of staff shortages and funding rollbacks under President Donald Trump's massive federal overhaul. In a nationally representative survey this March, the Trust for Public Land found that Americans across demographic and ideological lines value parks and use them frequently; two-thirds of people who said they voted for Kamala Harris and two-thirds of people who voted for Trump said they've talked with someone else at a park that they didn't know before, and over half said it was with somebody of a different social or economic background. Here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History A well-known Chicago hairstylist was identified as the woman whose body was recovered Saturday in Lake Michigan near Navy Pier. Read more here. More top news stories: The facility features individual suites with high-definition TVs tuned 24/7 to DogTV and Animal Planet, premium shampoos in its bathing salons, antimicrobial play areas, an air purification system and of course, room service. Read more here. More top business stories: The wind hasn't blown out too much this year, but this weekend it was a free-for-all as the Cubs (46-31) dropped two of three to the Mariners (39-37) and finished the homestand 5-4. Read more here. More top sports stories: Giancarlo Guerrero's much-feted debut as principal conductor and artistic director of the Grant Park Music Festival was dampened by relentless rain. But if Guerrero appeared unflappable onstage, it's because he's been there before. Read more here. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: Iran announced on state television that it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base. A caption on screen called it 'a mighty and successful response' to 'America's aggression' as martial music played. Read more here. More top stories from around the world:
