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Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Reporting up? Dolphin carcasses keep washing up on state's shores
Kochi: Is the Kerala coast turning into a graveyard for dolphins? The number of dolphin carcasses washing ashore in the state is on the rise — 18 were recorded last year, up from 12 in 2023. This year, around four carcasses have been reported so far, including two in Thrissur, in which forest officials suspect the sinking of a cargo vessel carrying hazardous material off the Alappuzha coast may have played a role. Of the 18 dolphins found last year, nine were males and two females, while the gender of the rest could not be identified due to decomposition. Notably, six strandings were reported in Aug alone. Seven of last year's carcasses were recovered in the Kozhikode forest territorial division. The carcasses found along the Kerala coast are of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, a species listed under Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Experts in marine mammal research attribute the rising trend to increased awareness about reporting of strandings, intensive fishing activities, underwater noise pollution from the growing number of vessels and interactions between dolphins and vessels. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read More Undo "Dolphins used to drift ashore in the region earlier also, but their reporting was comparatively less. Marine mammals die in sea for various reasons: vessel strikes, entanglement as bycatch, old age, disease and pollution. After death, the carcass either sinks or drifts ashore. With coastal communities now more aware of these species and their significance, almost all strandings are being reported," said R Ratheesh Kumar, a senior scientist with the marine biodiversity and environment management division of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). He said the stranding of the marine mammal carcass was observed to be comparatively high on our coast during the monsoon. "This is due to the drifting of carcasses mostly to the coastal region as the monsoon winds are towards the coast. Also, the rough seas during the monsoon disrupt dolphins, which rely on sound for communication, navigation and hunting, increasing the chances of them being accidentally struck by vessels," he said. Fishermen are well aware that killing dolphins is a serious offence. "They don't target dolphins, but these mammals sometimes get caught in fishing nets. Dolphins, which breathe through lungs, need to come to the sea surface every 8 to 12 minutes to breathe. When they get stuck in nets, they cannot surface to breathe, which can lead to death. The carcasses that do not sink may eventually wash ashore," he said. Veterinary officials conduct autopsies on these carcasses to determine the cause of death. Chief wildlife warden Pramod G Krishnan, who was part of the Project Dolphin launched by the Union govt in 2020, said a land-based model of conservation with a species-centric approach is not suitable for marine species. "We need a marine conservation template, keeping in mind the fishermen community, their livelihood and conservation needs. For dolphins to survive, we need to ensure that the livelihood requirements of people are met. We need to involve scientific institutions as well," he said.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Time of India
When mountains shed their jewels
One crisp Dec morning in 2000, during a routine visit to the Aralam forests, butterfly experts Jaffer Palot and V C Balakrishnan witnessed a breathtaking sight—an endless stream of Common Albatross butterflies (Appias albina) gliding along the forest clearing carved by Cheenkanni River, in shimmering white and yellow like drifting petals. Little did they know the fleeting spectacle would spark a 25-year journey of observation and documentation by butterfly enthusiasts and researchers, revealing Aralam's extraordinary butterfly diversity. What began as a moment of wonder evolved into a sustained scientific effort under the Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS), which has conducted annual butterfly surveys for the past 25 years. This work helped establish Aralam as Kerala's butterfly capital, now set to be renamed Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary—India's first official butterfly sanctuary. The 55 sq. km. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary established in 1984 and situated in the valley of Brahmagiri mountain ranges is the prime butterfly habitat of Kerala for good reason. Of the 327 species of butterflies found in Kerala, a staggering 266 speciesover 82%have been recorded here. Among them are 27 species endemic to the Western Ghats and six listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act. Endemic species include the Travancore Evening Brown, Sahyadri Rosy Oak Blue, Malabar Rose, Malabar Banded Swallowtail, Malabar Banded Peacock, Shiva Sunbeam, Nilgiri Grass Yellow, Sahyadri Silver Royal, Kodagu Forest Hopper, Southern Spotted Ace, Nilgiri Plain Ace, Sahyadri Orange Ace, Sahyadri Banded Ace, and Sahyadri Albatross. Other significant species recorded are the Purple Spotted Flitter, Maculate Lancer, Black Angle, White-tipped Line Blue, Orchid Tit, Malabar Flash, Blue Nawab and Blue-banded Duffer. 'The range of forest habitats—from moist deciduous to semi-evergreen, evergreen, and shola grasslands— allows Aralam to support this incredible diversity,' says Jafer Palot, scientist with the Zoological Survey of India and MNHS member. He explains that Aralam's unique climate and forest gradient, from sea level to 1600 metres, supports diverse plant life, creating an ideal butterfly habitat. 'Almost all forest types found in the state are present within the sanctuary,' he adds. The most awe-inspiring event at Aralam is the annual butterfly migration. Each year from Dec to Feb, the sanctuary bursts with life as millions of exquisite butterflies, predominantly the Common Albatross, undertake an altitudinal migration, gliding downhill from the upper reaches of the forest. The phenomenon typically begins around 9.30am and lasts until about 2pm. For the indigenous communities living around Aralam, the migration is not just biological—it's cultural. Local tribal lore likens the migration to women heading to a wedding, dressed in shimmering white, gliding gracefully through the canopy corridor. Aralam is also a key site for the annual Danaine butterfly migration to the Western Ghats from the Eastern Ghats and southern plains. During the 2013 survey, more than four lakh Danaine butterflies were recorded roosting near Pothanplavu. 'Though we've tracked the migration since 2001, many unknowns remain, including where these congregations are headed,' says Palot. Earlier, it was assumed the butterflies came from Coorg via Kottiyoor and moved to Wayanad en route to the Nilgiris. 'Now we know it's an altitudinal migration from higher reaches above Meenmutti Falls. Still, we don't know where they ultimately go, as Albatross butterflies are forest species and rarely leave forested areas.' These butterflies likely originate from altitudes above Meenmutti Falls, where their host plant Drypetes—locally called Asthi maram—grows abundantly. As the population grows and nectar becomes scarce, a mass dispersal down the slopes is triggered. 'In a five-minute count this Jan, we recorded over 12,000 butterflies,' says Palot. 'That translates to three to four lakh butterflies a day, and crores over the entire season.' The Cheenkanni River and its streams play a critical role in this migration. The mineral-rich riverbanks allow butterflies to supplement their diet with essential nutrients like sodium, nitrogen, and amino acids—vital for flight and reproduction. 'Maintaining the riverbank's integrity is crucial,' Palot says, warning that illegal sand mining threatens these habitats. Aralam wildlife sanctuary warden G Pradeep says the butterfly diversity is a testament to its ecosystem integrity, as butterflies are indicator species and help with pollination. 'Renaming the area as a butterfly sanctuary will allow us to implement habitat management like removing invasive species and promoting biodiversity-friendly vegetation. Many larval host plants like Mullilam (Zanthoxylum rhetsa) are disappearing from non-forest areas,' he adds. Environmentalists stress that addressing illegal sand mining along the Cheenkanni River is vital, as it threatens the sanctuary's habitat and affects mud-puddling behavior of butterflies during migration. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Miami Herald
27-06-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Endangered creature — thought missing from India forest — rediscovered. See it
Covering more than 9,500 square miles of land in northeastern India, the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape, or KKAL, is fragmented. The land is a 'complex mosaic of protected and non-protected areas' and is pieced together by a series of natural corridors, according to a study published June 26 in the peer-reviewed Journal of Threatened Taxa. During a reconnaissance survey along these interconnected corridors of land, researchers set up camera traps to capture and identify animals that may be using the pathways to move between the islands of natural land, according to the study. What they didn't expect was to rediscover a species once thought missing in the region. From February 2021 to December 2022, a total of 83 camera traps captured 15,278 'camera-trap days' of images, according to the study. Six of these photos were different from the others. Captured by camera traps for the first time in October 2022, the images show an Asiatic wild dog, or dhole, passing in front of the lens, researchers said. 'This was the only instance where we captured a Dhole on camera in the landscape during the study period,' researchers said. '... The habitat consists of moist mixed deciduous forest, dominated by teak.' The sighting marks the first photo evidence of a dhole in the region after it was 'extirpated,' or eliminated, in the 1990s, researchers said. Dholes are listed as an endangered species, according to the study, and are protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act from 1972. They were once abundant across the Tian Shan and Altai mountains in Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan, as well as further south through China, Tibet, Nepal and India, according to the study. Their range has shrunk significantly from threats like 'retaliatory killing, habitat loss, and prey depletion,' researchers said. Less than 25% of their original range still stands today. Dholes are dogs and communal hunters, typically traveling in packs of up to 30 animals but can hunt alone or in pairs when prey is scarce, according to the study. They are about the size of a German shepherd, but look more like a fox with elongated legs, according to the San Diego Zoo. 'Dholes are incredibly athletic. They are fast runners, excellent swimmers and impressive jumpers,' the zoo said. 'These skills are critical when the pack is hunting. In some protected areas, they share habitat with tigers and leopards.' They are sometimes called whistle dogs because of an 'eerie whistle' they use to communicate with one another, according to the San Diego Zoo. They also make clucks and screams that are unique to these dogs. The KKAL is in the Assam state of India, a northeastern state south of Bhutan and China. The research team includes Mujahid Ahamad, Jyotish Ranjan Deka, Priyanka Borah, Umar Saeed, Ruchi Badola and Syed Ainul Hussain.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Time of India
Two arrested in Dibrugarh for hunting egrets
Dibrugarh: The Dibrugarh forest department on Tuesday arrested two individuals for hunting egrets, a protected bird species under the Indian wildlife laws, after videos surfaced on social media platforms. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The accused, Vijay Majhi and Rajesh Karmakar, were apprehended from Milan Nagar following widespread circulation of videos, showing them hunting. "The two individuals were arrested after videos of their hunting went viral on social media. Hunting egrets is a serious offence and we will ensure strict legal action is taken," DFO Nandha Kumar said. Egrets are classified under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which strictly prohibits their hunting, providing comprehensive protection to specific species of flora and fauna. The legal framework surrounding their protection is particularly robust, with specific species receiving even higher levels of protection. The Little Egret and Cattle Egret, commonly found in wetland areas across Assam, are listed under Schedule II of the Act, which makes hunting them a non-bailable offence. The arrest comes at a time when wildlife conservation efforts in Assam have intensified, particularly in districts like Dibrugarh. "Egrets play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and their indiscriminate hunting not only threatens biodiversity, but also violates wildlife protection laws. Awareness is crucial among the public regarding wildlife conservation. We need citizens to understand not just its legal implications, but also their ecological importance. We are working closely with local communities to gather intelligence and prevent such activities," Kumar said.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Croc found dead in Bhitarkanika
Kendrapada : A four-year-old male saltwater crocodile was found dead in the Kochia river near Silapokhari village within Bhitarkanika National Park on Tuesday marking the 14th unnatural crocodile death in the past five carcass measuring 4-ft and eight inches was spotted by locals who alerted forest authorities. "We have sent the carcass for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death," said Manas Kumar Das , assistant conservator of forest ( ACF ), incident follows discovery of a female saltwater crocodile's carcass in the Brahmani river on Nov 1, 2024 highlighting a disturbing trend in the protected area. "Unnatural deaths of adult crocodiles in Bhitarkanika are alarming," said Sudhakar Kar, noted herpetologist and former wildlife researcher. He said saltwater crocodiles are protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, to Hemant Rout, secretary of Gahirmatha Marine Turtles and Mangrove Conservation Society (GMTMCS), illegal fishing remains a major threat to the crocodile population. "Despite fishing being banned in Bhitarkanika's water bodies, unauthorised activities continue unabated, leading to more crocodile casualties," Rout park, established as a crocodile breeding center in 1975 through a UNDP collaboration, is home to 1,825 saltwater crocodiles as per the January 2025 census. However, with 36 crocodile deaths recorded in the past 13 years, conservationists are increasingly concerned about the effectiveness of protection latest death has exposed significant gaps in the park's conservation efforts, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of fishing regulations and enhanced protection measures for these endangered reptiles.
