Latest news with #Habis
Time of India
08-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
'Endangered' caracal captured in camera trap in MP's Gandhi Sagar sanctuary, first in 2 decades
Bhopal: In a major boost to India's wildlife conservation efforts, a caracal— one of the country's most elusive and threatened wild cats— has been captured on a camera trap inside the fenced Cheetah Closed Natural Area of Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district. This is the first confirmed sighting of the species in the state in nearly 20 years, and a promising sign of biodiversity recovery under Project Cheetah. The finding was officially communicated in a letter from Dr Bilal Habis, Scientist 'F' and project investigator at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), to the Wildlife Unit of the Madhya Pradesh forest department. The WII, in collaboration with the state forest department, has been monitoring cheetahs, co-predators, prey species, and habitat conditions in the Gandhi Sagar landscape since 2023. "To understand the presence and movement of leopards and prey, camera traps have been deployed at various locations in the fenced area of the West Range," wrote Dr. Habis. "We are delighted to inform you that photographs of caracal (Caracal caracal) were obtained from one of the traps in the Golabavdi beat." According to the letter, the animal was photographed on three separate occasions on July 1, 2025, at the exact same location — at 02:35 hrs, 22:05 hrs, and again between 23:38 and 23:39 hrs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo This is the first time caracal presence has been recorded since monitoring efforts began under Project Cheetah. Dr Habis noted that the sighting "likely suggests that the habitat consolidation and restoration work under Project Cheetah is helping with the revival of biodiversity, including threatened species, as originally envisioned.". This unexpected sighting revives long-standing hopes among conservationists to bring the caracal back from the brink in Madhya Pradesh. In 2019, officials even launched a statewide search for caracals, beginning in the Ujjain forest circle, even distributing "most wanted" posters in rural villages and seeking help from locals. The campaign, however, yielded only photos of jungle cats, often mistaken for caracals due to their similar size and colour. In 2023, the Madhya Pradesh forest department had outlined plans to reintroduce caracals in the Gwalior region, acknowledging that the species had not been officially seen in the state for nearly two decades. KNOW ABOUT THE CARACAL Caracals are native to parts of Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and India, and are known for their distinctive black ear tufts, incredible agility, and solitary, nocturnal habits. They are powerful hunters, capable of leaping high into the air to catch birds mid-flight, experts say. These cats prefer dry scrublands, semi-arid zones, and moist woodlands, but are increasingly threatened by habitat loss and human encroachment. Listed as a threatened species by the IUCN, caracals are also included under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, affording them the highest level of legal protection in India. They are critically endangered in the Indian context due to their small, fragmented population and low detection rates.
Muscat Daily
12-02-2025
- General
- Muscat Daily
Study highlights decline of Steppe Eagle in Oman
Salalah – A study by the Environment Authority (EA) has revealed a concerning decline in the population of the endangered Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis), citing habitat loss, poaching, pollution, poisoning, and electrocution from power lines as key threats. The research, conducted by EA's Office for Conservation of Environment, focused on challenges faced by the species in Oman, particularly in Dhofar governorate, a key migration route for the Steppe Eagle. Mohammed bin Ghanem bin Nabhan Habis, Environmental Systems Supervisor at EA, explained that the bird is a migratory raptor that feeds on carrion, rodents, medium-sized mammals, other birds, reptiles, and insects. 'The Steppe Eagle is a vital part of the ecosystem, and its survival is closely tied to the health of its habitats,' said Habis. The study investigated the eagle's interaction with waste disposal sites and evaluated the risks posed by their dependence on these areas. Researchers assessed three waste disposal sites in Dhofar, noting a peak of 1,122 Steppe Eagles in 2019. However, data collected during the winter seasons between 2018 and 2022 showed a decline in their numbers, raising concerns about their future in the region. The findings underscore the urgent need for conservation strategies, including better waste management practices, measures to reduce poisoning and electrocution risks, and efforts to mitigate environmental pollution. The Environment Authority hopes the study will guide the development of policies to protect the Steppe Eagle and other endangered species in Oman. 'Strengthening conservation policies and addressing environmental challenges are critical steps to ensuring the survival of this majestic bird,' said Habis. The study serves as a call for action to safeguard the region's biodiversity.
